Tomairangi Paki

Tomairangi Paki
Born1953
Huntly, New Zealand
Died (aged 63)
Names
Kiritokia e-te Tomairangi Adrianne Gail Paki
FatherWhatumoana Paki
MotherTe Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu

Kiritokia e-te Tomairangi Paki (1953 – 3 April 2017) was a prominent Māori kuia, and the daughter of Queen Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu. She was the elder sister of King Tūheitia.

Paki was a prominent exponent of kapa haka, and tutored the Taniwharau kapa haka to national victory in 1981.[1] She received a life membership award from Tainui Cultural Trust for her work within kapa haka in 2016.[2]

Paki won a scholarship to learn world dances and choose to study Hawaiian Hula. She spent several years in Hawaii and became a Kumu Hula and returned to New Zealand establishing her own hālau (hula school) called Nā Keiki O Ka ʻĀina.[citation needed]

She was a patron for He Kura Te Tangata, a festival which celebrates kaumatua and kapa haka.[3]

Paki died peacefully in her sleep on 3 April 2017. Her tangi was held at Waahi Pa in Huntly where her body lay in state before being taken for burial at the royal cemetery at Mount Taupiri.[4]

  1. ^ "Kīngitanga in mourning over the loss of Tomairangi Paki", Television New Zealand, 3 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  2. ^ Black, T. "Tomairangi Paki receives Life Member award", Māori Television, 1 May 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  3. ^ "Colourful final tribute by Taniwharau for beloved leader". Māori Television. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  4. ^ Clarke, M. "Memories of Taniwharau resonates at Tomairangi Paki’s tangi", Māori Television, 1 May 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2017.