Horomia pays tribute to te reo icon
Parekura Horomia today paid tribute to Mate Kaiwai who was a truly inspirational advocate for the preservation of the
Maori language through her life.
Mate Kaiwai, of Ruatoria, was the daughter of the late great Sir Apirana Ngata and carried on his passion for the reo.
She lived and breathed the language, often saying “my mana is my reo”.
“Her tireless work for Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori, of which she was a patron, will be remembered by many at her
tangi.
“As late as Friday she was still on the job, presenting a tohu to Timoti Karetu at the Taura Whiri language awards.
“Nanny Mate, as she was fondly called, was also revered by rangatahi for the gentle way she encouraged their own pursuit
of te reo. She will be missed by many,” Parekura Horomia says.
ENDS