aroha

Aue taukuri e!
(We are bereft with grief!)

Many beautiful tributes to Dame Te Atairangi Kaahu today. John Stokes at the Herald has a lovely account of her life and passing. Some heart-rending acknowledgments also from NZH readers.

The Political Parties pay their respects. Sombre eloquence from The Maori Party, and kind words from United Future, The Green Party, NZ First, The Labour Party, and National.

Individual MPs Tau Henare and Winnie Laban remember her, and Tainui's own Nanaia Mahuta farewells her aunty, Te Arikinui (Paramount Chief), with tremendous love and sadness

The Anglican Church note her passing, as does David Farrar at Kiwiblog.

Most of the tributes remark upon her poise, warmth and grace. Like our Queen Elizabeth II, she always served with dignity and humility, exhibiting enormous strength of character through adversity, bringing great nobility to her role. She will be fondly remembered.

Haere ra, e Te Puhi o Waikato
Farewell, most cherished bloom of Waikato