Georgina te Heuheu MP
National Party Maori Affairs Spokeswoman (Culture & Development)

11 June 2007

Sadness at passing of a pioneer of NZ film

National Party Maori Affairs spokeswoman Georgina te Heuheu says she is saddened at the passing of a leading Te Arawa kuia, and one of New Zealand’s pioneering film actresses, Witarina Te Miriarangi Parewhaika Harris.

“Witarina led a wonderful and interesting life,” says Mrs te Heuheu. “She was a taonga of the Maori world, and was regarded by many as a grand dame of New Zealand film.”

“She starred as Princess Miro in a Universal Pictures silent movie in 1928 called Under the Southern Cross, which was later called The Devil’s Pit.

“She was of Ngati Whakaue descent, and was born in Rotorua in 1906. Although she starred in only the one film, she later became kaumätua of the Film Archive and was regarded by many as an important link with our film past.

“In the early 1930s she moved to Wellington to work for Sir Apirana Ngata, then Minister of Maori Affairs. She was also a founding member of the Maori Women's Welfare League.

“In 1986 she was awarded the QSM for services to the community.
“My thoughts are with her family as they mourn Witarina’s passing. My heartfelt thanks go to them for sharing her with the rest of us for so many years of a wonderful life.”

ENDS

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