October 16, 2019
Rainbow tribute for Lee Smith
One of the pou of Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori has fallen.
Lee Smith of Ngāti Kahungunu died yesterday aged 69.
Chief executive Ngahiwi Apanui says Mr Smith’s advocacy for the language, including working on the 1972 petition calling for Māori to be available in schools, contributed to the formation of the Māori Language Commission.
He also worked there for extended periods overseeing the training and licensing of translators and interpreters.
He was also active in the fight for gay rights, and the inclusion of a rainbow in the logo design for this year’s Māori Language Week will serve as a reminder and tribute.
"Those are the things that were really important to him, gay rights and te reo Māori, both things that we should uphold strongly as New Zealanders and be proud of the changes that we have made. It’s something I think that marks us out as a nation, this wanting to do the right thing. And we’re sad that he has gone and we’re really grateful for what he has done for us and for the country," Mr Apanui says.
Lee Grant Smith will be taken this afternoon on to Houngarea Marae, in Pakipaki, Hastings, where his funeral service will be held at 11am Saturday.
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