July 05, 2015
Inspirational educator will be sadly missed
Maori educators are mourning one of their most inspiring leaders, Te Iria Whiu of Ngati Maniapoto and Ngati Ranginui, who died on Saturday at Tauarau Marae in Ruatoki.
Mrs Whiu was the first Maori Maori president of the New Zealand Educational Institute in 1995.
Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell, a friend and colleague, says she was a leader from her earliest days at Maungatapu School.
Career highlights included of principal of Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Bernard Fergusson in Ngaruawahia and Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Ara Rima in Hamilton.
She was the first chair of the board of Te Wharekura o Mauao, Tauranga's first full immersion Maori secondary school, and was also a member of Te Moana a Toi/Bay of Plenty Whanau Ora Regional Leadership Group.
She was made a Member of the New Zealand order of Merit in last year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours for her services to education and Maori.
Te Iria Whiu will lie in state at Hairini Marae in Tauranga.
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