Hon Dr Pita Sharples
Minister of Maori Affairs
26 November 2009 Media Release
Poroporoaki ki a Jane Marsden

Tangi kau nei tōku ngākau kua hinga rā tētahi o ngā Totara o te waonui o Ngāi Takoto. Inā te mahi he wahine, he rangatira.
E te whaea, e te kuia, e te tuahine moe mai rā, moe mai rā koe.
Haere atu ki te pō uriuri, ki te pō tangotango, haere oti atu rā.

“Ten days ago I said that an important chapter in New Zealand and Maori history had closed, with the passing of Jeanie Subritzky, of Kareponia in the Far North,” Maori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples said.

“Today the Far North is again mourning the closing of another chapter. Earlier today Jane Marsden (Ngai Takoto), widow of the late Rev Māori Marsden, passed away.

“Māori Marsden born in Awanui in August 1924, and passed away in June 1993 aged 69. He was of Ngai Takoto, Ahipara and Ngati Warara descent.

“A tohunga scholar, writer, healer, minister and philosopher of the latter part of the twentieth century Māori served as a spiritual and tikanga Māori leader in the north until his death.

“They say behind every successful man is a strong woman and Jane was no exception. She was a great community woman, a great church person and a good hui attender. Aotearoa would be a lesser place were it not for people like Jane.

“Jane and Māori were mentors to many of Tai Tokerau’s 80s and 90s crop of up-and-coming young Māori, including current MPs and nephews Hone Harawira and Shane Jones.

“My condolences go to Jane and Māori’s whanau, may they find peace with the knowledge that both their parents made a substantial contribution to Māoridom.”

ENDS

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