Mauri Pacific leader, Hon. Tau Henare said he was deeply saddened by the passing of Maori language stalwart, Hana Jackson yesterday.

Mr Henare said Mauri Pacific policies on the development of the Maori language would not have been possible had it not been for the work and commitment of the late Hana Jackson.

Hana, as part of Nga Tama Toa, petitioned Parliament in 1973 to make the Maori language an official language of New Zealand. As a result, legislation was passed recognising the Maori language. The Maori Language Commission was developed as a direct result of Hana’s petition to Parliament.

Hundreds of thousands of people signed the petition, which also called for legislation recognising the Treaty of Waitangi. "Back in the late 60?s and early 70?s, people who pushed for the status of the Maori language were considered activists, some, like Hana were arrested for their views in 1969. Hana symbolised the strength of Maori women in this country, and the enormous part they played in hammering the soul of this nation to live up to its Treaty obligations. I take my hat off to Hana Jackson and her friends, who provided the Maori language flagship which Mauri Pacific continues today," Tau Henare said.

Hana Jackson will be lying in state at her home marae at Waitara, in Taranaki. She is survived by her two children and husband Syd Jackson.

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