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Keri Kaa, a Ngāti Porou writer and teacher who inspired students with her storytelling and dramatic flair, has died.
Hirini Kaa says his aunt died peacefully at Te Puia Hospital yesterday aged 78.
One of 12 children of Reverend Tipi Whenua Kaa and Hohipene Kaa, she attended Queen Victoria School for Māori Girls and Auckland Girls' Grammar before training at Ardmore Teachers College, graduating in 1964.
After teaching in primary and secondary schools in Rangitukia, Wellington and the Hawke's Bay, she lectured at Wellington Teachers College for 15 years.
She was also involved in the Haeata Collective of Māori women artists, the Herstory diary project, and blazed paths in Māori theatre, film-making and television.
Hirini Kaa says his aunt used all of the gifts passed down to her by her tipuna.
She was a stickler for correct and excellent te reo and tikanga and an expert at both.
Because of COVID restrictions, she will remain in Gisborne at the funeral directors until whanau travel down from Tāmaki on Monday to escort her to Rangitukia, where the nehu will be held at Okaroro urupa on Tuesday.
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