Kāterina Daniels.

By Ngāroma Williams (Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | The University of Canterbury)

Iwi: Tuhourangi, Tūwharetoa.

Education: Whakarewarewa Naitve School, Horohoro Primary, St Michael’s Convent, St Joseph’s Māori Girls College (Napier), Auckland Teachers Training College.

A stalwart of te reo Māori, Whaea Kā’s motto was to always encourage ngā tīni me ngā mano (the multitudes of her students and her wider acquaintances) with her catch phrase “any te reo being spoken is good te reo” (putting it out there) now we have something to grow your confidence.

An esteemed Kuia who lived and breathed manaakitanga to all she met – as all her students of te reo Māori have only the highest respect for their first te reo Māori teacher who planted the seed to venture out into te ao Māori.

Her simple philosophy of manaakitanga was a key value that she instilled in all key business and hui of Te Hautū Kahurangi o Aotearoa – we pay homage to this TeŪ Kuia.

E te māreikura ko te hau ka rere ki uta, ka rere ki tai, ka kawea ake a haku, a mamae ki te Pā o Matariki, mahea aki ai – whakapīataata mai tōu wairua ki runga i ngā tāngata katoa.

A clearing wind blows to land and sea, carrying our sorrow to be lifted onto the Pā of Matariki, there your spirit will shine over us all.