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Tribute of farewell to our Whaea Rangatira Tiitiwhai Te Hoia Hinewhare Harawira o Ngapuhi
He Wakaputanga o Nga Hapuu Rangatira o Hokianga
He Whakapono e Te Atua,
He Whakapono e nga iwi
He Whakapono te aroha mo tatou katoa.
The celebration of Whaea Rangatira Tiitiwhai Harawira's 90th birthday was a Tohu about the realisation of good things coming through struggle.
She achieved so much in her life and won so many gains for Māori.
As a result, she left an enduring legacy to the nation as a whole, but especially to her whanau, hapuu and Iwi whose part in that struggle came at a high cost. Yet the bigger the battle, the bigger the victory.
There are givers and takers in life. Not everyone has the interest of the hapuu and iwi at heart.
The oppressor gradually comes to see a harsh reality dawning. The reality is that those who keep others down stay down with them.
Whaea Rangatira Tiitiwhai Harawira had a swifter, and more pronounced way than most, of drawing that reality to the oppressor's attention.
On the day that Whaea Rangatira Tiitiwhai Harawira arrived at Hoani Waititi Marae, the quotation from the Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho became clear,
“Not all storms come to disrupt your life, some come to clear your path”.
We will never forget her, a force of nature, who cleared the path of this nation's destiny, and who has shown us a way forward of hope, and clarity.
How the source of strength that challenges, is also the source of the strength that supports.
During this time of Whaea Rangatira Tiitiwhai Harawira's homeward journey, Auckland experienced its heaviest rainfall on record and flooding right across the city. A seven-day State of Emergency was called.
Our hearts going out to the families who have lost loved ones, and those who have lost homes.
Yet at this time, we will look to and be constantly reminded of the legacy of Whaea Rangatira Tiitiwhai Harawira: About overcoming trials and struggles to bring about a greater, wider, and deeper common good, for now, and the future.
Haere atu ra e te whaea Rangatira, i runga i to waka wairua, i roto i te pononga o te Atua Kaha Rawa.
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