Moe mai rā Kahurangi Iritana Te Rangi Tāwhiwhirangi DNZM MBE

We acknowledge the passing of Kahurangi Iritana Te Rangi Tāwhiwhirangi DNZM MBE (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāpuhi) 1929 – 2025.

A formidable trailblazer for Māori rights and interests, she was particularly renowned for her founding of the kohanga reo movement; inspiring and empowering thousands in the revitalisation of te reo Māori, leaving a powerful living legacy in the kohanga generation.

Among her many contributions, we especially pay tribute to Kahurangi Iritana for having stood firm alongside fellow rangatira in the defence of Māori fishing rights in response to the attempt of the New Zealand Government and international ENGOs to further confiscate guaranteed rights and establish the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary.

Kahurangi Iritiana was recognised for her achievements through being made a life member of the Māori Women’s Welfare League, a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit and made a Dame Companion in 2009 for services to Māori education.

She will be laid to rest at Porourangi Tāwhiwhirangi Urupā, alongside her late husband Porourangi Tāwhiwhirangi and her two children Tangopahika (Boy) and Heni Whakamaungarangi.

E te Rangatira, ka nui te mihi ki koe. Moe mai, moe mai, moe mai rā.