Dame Iritana Te Rangi Tāwhiwhirangi. Photo: Supplied / Te Tai
Whānau of Dame Iritana Tāwhiwhirangi have remembered her as a tireless advocate for empowering Māori families.
[https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/540653/maori-educator-dame-iritana-te-rangi-tawhiwhirangi-dies-aged-95
Dame Iritana], a founder of the Kōhanga Reo movement, died on Saturday at home surrounded by her whānau - she was 95.
Whānau spokesperson Ngarimu Parata said he would remember her for her focus on improving outcomes for whānau Māori.
"Every conversation I had with Kuia was about looking after, strengthening, enabling and empowering families. Whatever the conversation started off as, whether it was about golf, or tennis, or different things that her children and mokopuna might have been doing, she would always bring it back to strengthening, enabling and empowering whānau and families."
Her whānau were extremely proud of her tireless work as an educator and te reo advocate, he said.
"She has lived many lifetimes but [her whānau are] extremely proud of her, particularly around her ability to do all those things while raising her children, while supporting and doting on her mokopuna. So they are extremely proud of her and seeing her be at peace now and resting brings them some comfort in this time.
"She was very well dressed, she was very articulate, she was very direct when she spoke and as soon as her hand would come out and her finger was pointing you knew she was getting ready to really emphasise a point that you needed to take notice of and listen to. So [I have] many fond memories of Nanny Iri."
Parata said Dame Iritana left an ōhāki, a parting wish, for the generations to come - "Kia mau te ruruku i a koutou".
"That ōhāki is a whakatauākī (saying) from her husband Porourangi Tawhiwhirangi's grandfather Te Hapuku Niha Tawhiwhirangi, and it means to stay strong and be true to one another and look after one another," he said.
If individuals can help to look after and empower our whānau to be strong to be connected, to carry themselves with dignity and integrity that's how we can live up to the legacy 'Nanny Iri' has set forth, he said.
Parata said Dame Iritana would lie in state at Te Poho o Rāwiri Marae at the foot of Titirangi maunga until Thursday morning.
The first groups of manuhiri made their way on to the marae on Monday.
The Kiingitanga announced that Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po would attend the tangihanga on Wednesday. Her grandmother Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaau worked closely with Dame Iritana in her role at the Kōhanga Reo National Trust.
"The reason she decided to come to Poho o Rawiri was Gisborne is a lot more accessible for those all over the motu to travel and pay their respects if they choose to," Parata said.
"On Thursday morning we will be uplifting her and taking her back to Tikitiki which is approximately and hour and forty-five minutes north of Gisborne to lay in state at Te Rāhui marae the place where her husband and children have laid."
She will be interred in the family urupā near Rāhui Marae on Friday morning, he said.
There are many kaupapa happening this week, especially in Te Taitokerau at Waitangi, but Parata said anyone is welcome to pay their respects to Dame Iritana.
"For those who want to come to pay respects to the Kuia, nau mai haere mai, you are more than welcome."
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