Acknowledging the recent passing of Dame Tariana Turia

Whaikaha wishes to acknowledge the recent passing of Dame Tariana Turia who was the Minister for Disability Issues from 2009 to 2014.

Former Whanganui mayor Annette Main, Lady Lynda and Sir Robert Martin with Dame Tariana Turia standing together smiling in front of a wooden panelled wall with two flags (one being the NZ flag)
Former Whanganui mayor Annette Main, Lady Lynda and Sir Robert Martin with Dame Tariana Turia at the ceremony held to celebrate Martin's UN appointment in 2016. Photo credit: Stuart Munro, Whanganui Chronicle

The disability community valued and respected Dame Tariana for her understanding, leadership and advocacy of change for disabled people – this was demonstrated in the many heartfelt tributes that were made by disabled people and disability organisations following her recent passing.

Her achievements as a Minister included lobbying for the creation of a permanent Disability Rights Commissioner, and a drive to establish and fund the New Zealand Sign Language Board.

In 2016 Dame Tariana also announced the nomination of the late Sir Robert Martin to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a landmark moment.

Among her many accolades, she was made a Dame Companion of the Order of New Zealand for services as a Member of Parliament in 2015 and was the first Māori woman to receive a Blake Medal in 2018.

Beyond the significant impacts made for disabled people during her political career, campaigns for rheumatic fever prevention, smoking reform and the establishment of Whānau Ora can all be attributed to her advocacy.

 
He Poroporoaki mō Kahurangi Dame Tariana Turia

A Farewell for Kahurangi Dame Tariana Turia

E te Kahurangi, whāea Tariana, haere, haere, haere atu rā ki te okiokinga o te hunga wairua. Tukua ō mānuka kia heria e mātou, mā mātou e hiki ake, mā mātou hoki e mahia tonu te mahi whakahirahira nāu i tīmata ai.

Whāea Tariana, our distinguished and respected treasure, go forth to the resting place of the spirits. Entrust your challenges to us, we will carry them, we will lift them up, and we will continue the important work you started.

Nō reira e kui, haere atu rā, haere ki tō awa, nā te mea, e rere kau mai te awa nui nei. Mai i te kāhui maunga ki Tangaroa, ko koe te awa, ko te awa ko koe.

And so, our dear one, farewell, journey to your river because the river flows from the mountains to the sea ‘You are the river; the river is you’.

Kua whawhaitia e koe te whawhai pai o te whakapono e kui e - Moe mai rā, okioki mai rā i te rangimārie me te aroha mō ake tonu e te Kahurangi Dame Tariana Turia.

Our respected elder, you have fought the good fight of faith - Kahurangi Dame Tariana Turia. May you now forever rest in peace and love.