Renowned advocate for Māori rights, Waireti Walters, was laid to rest today. She's the queen of Te Paatu and tributes continued to flow for Waireti Walters on her day of burial.
Ngawai Herewini said, “We are feeling the wave of the loss of this much loved elder because she was known all over the Māori world. She supported what was right and if she didn't support anything, she'd tell you why. We all know she was faithful to the Māori world.”
Born and raised in the Far North, Waireti is revered for her work in Auckland. She fought for issues like the banning of smoking cigarettes and the testing of our women for breast cancer.
Hilda Halkyard-Harawira says, “She comes from a line of famous women in New Zealand like Whina Cooper, Eva Rickard, Lady Emily Latimer and those of that ilk.”
She was a woman who stood tall in the world and today she is no longer with us.