Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi laid to rest

A stern but caring mentor, a lion, a taniwha and a keen golfer - those are just a few of the words mourners used to describe Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi at her tangi at Gisborne's Te Poho-o-Rawiri Marae. A founder and champion of the Kohanga Reo movement - Dame Iritana will be laid to rest this morning at Rahui marae in Tikitiki near East Cape. Maori News Journalist Pokere Paewai has this report