27 April 2015

The Māori Party mourns the loss of Lady Martha Taiaroa

Ngarue ana te whenua, ngaoko ana te moana i te hinganga o ngā totara o te wao, ā, mō wai ana tērā i te maunga o ngā kākā haetara.

Waiho rātou kia tiraha mai, ko tātou ki konei takatū ai ki ngā mahi. Me pēnei noa ake te kōrero, ko rātou ki a rātou ko tātou ki a tātou, tēnā anō koutou.

The Māori Party joins with the whānau, hapū and iwi of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Tainui and Whanganui, in lamenting the loss of Lady Martha Taiaroa, widow of the late Sir Archie Taiaroa.

Lady Martha exuded elegance, grace and dignity in everything she did”, says Māori Party Co-leader, Marama Fox.

“Whether it was in the dusty heat of Tawatā or the swirling rapids of te awa tupua (Whanganui River), Lady Martha always carried herself in a way which commanded respect”.

In 1968 Mrs Taiaroa won the Red Cross Queen Carnival, followed by the title – Mrs Taumarunui - in the New Zealand Plunket Society.

“She modelled gowns designed by Taumarunui designer, Ann Rupe and Michael Matar; as well as a distinctive waistcoat featuring a tāniko pattern designed by her husband Archie. The effect was breath-taking.

“But she was also a woman of great skills and gifts” said Maori Party Co-leader, Hon Te Ururoa Flavell.

“Lady Martha was an accomplished fundraiser, a talented weaver, an artist and designer, and a successful entrepreneur,” says Mr Flavell.

Under her leadership, Taumarunui became a centre of Wearable Arts based on harakeke as the main source of inspiration.

Lady Martha exhibited her woven garments at the Whanganui River Tourism Showcase. A unique tukutuku panel she created, weaving together traditional Māori design with the symbols of faith is still installed in the Sisters of St Joseph centre in Whanganui.

“Lady Martha was a staunch supporter and advocate of her husband; faithfully accompanying him to hui all over the land, expressing a firm and unyielding faith in his unique leadership of Whanganui” says Mr Flavell.

Moe mai rā e te kuia.

Lady Martha is lying at Kauriki Marae, just out of Taumarunui.

ENDS

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