May 24, 2022
Double tribute for rangatira
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has paid tribute to rangatira Kahurangi Dame Aroha Reriti-Crofts and Joe Hawke.
The funeral service for Dame Aroha, the president of the Māori Women’s Welfare League from 1990 to 1993, will be held at Tūāhiwi Marae north of Christchurch today.
The tangi for Mr Hawke, leader of the Takaparawhau-Bastion Point occupation and a Labour MP from 1996 to 2002, is continuing at Ōrākei Marae.
“I was reflecting with Cabinet those giants in our community who have been lost and you will see a strong show of senior Labour people to acknowledge the contribution they have made to New Zealand. What a loss on both counts,” Ms Ardern says.