Diggeress Rangituatahi Te Kanawa CNZM QSO (9 March 1920 – 30 July 2009) was a New Zealand Māori tohunga raranga (master weaver) of Ngāti Maniapoto and Ngāti Kinohaku descent. At the time of her death she was regarded as New Zealand's most renowned weaver.[1][2][3][4]
One of New Zealand's official 'icon artists', tohunga raranga (master weaver) Diggeress Rangituatahi Te Kanawa, has died aged 89.
Born in Te Kuiti in 1920 of Ngāti Maniapoto and Ngāti Kinohaku descent, Diggeress Rangitutahi Te Kanawa was named in honour of the World War 1 troops known as diggers.
Tariana Turia expressed today the Maori Party's sadness at the passing of Diggeress Te Kanawa, one of Aotearoa's most prestigious Maori weavers.