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The many thousands of people whose Maori language journey has been assisted by Ngati Porou kuia Materoa Haenga are mourning her sudden death.
Mrs Haenga taught te reo Maori for more than 50 years, latterly at the Eastern Institute of Technology in Napier.
She was also a licensed translator and was involved in the formation of Te Panekiretanga, the Institute of Excellence in The Maori Language, Te Panekiretanga.
Ngati Kahungunu’s director of te reo Maori, Jeremy Tatere McLeod, says she was recognized as one of the top Maori speakers with extensive knowledge of Maori proverbs.
Mrs Haenga will lie in the Whare Tawhaki at the EIT Marae in Taradale until Saturday, when she will be taken back to Gisborne.
Copyright © 2015, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
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