The Hon Dr Pita Sharples
Maori Party Co-Leader | MP for Tamaki Makaurau

12 January 2012

Poroporoaki : Kateia Burrow

Iri te rau kawakawa iri ki whare aitua.

Tenei ia kua riro ki te kapunipunitanga o nga wairua, kua tua o te pae o maumahara.

Haere e te tuahine, haere ki tua atu i Te Reinga, ko taa mätou te hunga ora, he whai i nga tapuwae kua pikitia e koe.

E Kateai, moe atu, moe atu, moe atu raa

Dr Pita Sharples, MP for Tamaki Makaurau and Co-leader of the Maori Party, is heart-broken at the tragic death of Kateia Burrows, of Ngati Porou and Rarotongan descent.

“I have known Kateia for many years and considered her an exemplary young leader, of great talent, fierce intellect and a huge commitment to taonga Maori”.

“Kateia founded the London Mau Taiaha group, Maramara Totara, in 2003. This, the London branch of Te Whare Tu Taua o Aotearoa (the national school of ancient Maori weaponry) went on to successfully grade more than forty people through the school, with grading taking place in Hawai’i (2006) and Takapau (2007). It has been a remarkable achievement to see such success so far from home".

“Te Whare Tu Taua o Aotearoa is dedicated to ensuring te reo Maori, our history, our cultural values, whakapapa, haka, karakia, waiata and the traditional art of weaponry is sustained for future generations. Kateia took on all elements of the programme and in doing so, helped create a thriving Maori community in London.

Kateia had an enormous appetite for taking on new projects and her short life demonstrates this in great quantity”.

“She established Manaia, a Maori performing arts company in London which alongside of cultural performances taught traditional Maori culture and skills in schools throughout the United Kingdom”.

“Kateia was involved with Ngati Ranana (Maori cultural group in London); a Maori language school (Kiwa) and in fact had made such a distinctive presence in the London setting that in 2006 she was nominated for ‘New Zealander of the Year’.

“Our greatest sympathies are extended to all the whanau, both abroad and at home, to Ngati Porou, her Taranaki whanau, her Cook Island family and in particular to her three children, Kimiora, Tira and Kahu Huia”.

“We grieve for the loss of one of our glittering stars, who inspired so many with her leadership. We know that because of her vast endeavours, she has blazed a trail that will ensure her legacy lives on”.

ENDS

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