Maori Queen, national treasure

News from my source in the Pacific (you know who you are, J): the people of New Zealand Aotearoa and neighbouring friendly countries are mourning the death of Maori Queen, Te Arikinui, Dame Te Atairangikaahu. Thousands are visiting the Turangawaewae marae at Ngaruawahia, near Hamilton, where Dame Te Ata's body lies in state before her funeral next Monday.

In the words of NZ's Prime Minister, Helen Clark: "It is a time of deep sadness. A mighty kauri has fallen." From her letter to Dame Te Ata's family, written in the languages of Maori and Pakeha (non-Maori):

Oho ana te mauri i te rongo kua moe a Te Atairangikaahu i te moenga roa. He wahine wehi, he wahine kaha, ki te hiki i nga mahi mo ona iwi. Kei te tangi te Ao Maori me to Ao Pakeha mo tenei wahine humarie. Ko ia te manawa o Waikato Tainui, o te iwi Maori nana i tuhonohono nga iwi. [English translation] My spirit (literally life force) has been startled by the news of the passing of Te Atairangikaahu: an awe-inspiring woman, a strong woman who worked assiduously for her people. The Maori world and the Pakeha world mourn the loss of this gentle woman. She is the heart of Waikato Tainui, and she drew together Maori people and the tribes. [...]

New Zealand has lost a national treasure - a woman of great judgment and vision who has touched the lives of all who met her.