September 21, 2017
Ngati Mutunga wahine toa laid to rest
Ngati Mutunga is today laying to rest Evelyn Tuuta, a tireless champion of its interests in Te Wharekauri-Chatham Islands.
That advocacy earned the former Maori Affairs community officer a place on the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission during the 1990s, when the allocation of Maori fisheries settlement assets was hotly debated.
She continued to challenge her own people on the way they managed settlement resources, including taking Te Runanga o Wharekauri Rekohu Inc to court.
She also worked to strengthen links between Ngati Mutunga in Wharekauri, Wellington and Taranaki.
Her whanaunga Dion Tuuta, who is now chief executive of Te Ohu Kaimona, says she made a significant contribution.
"She was a commissioner when Te Ohu and iwi agreed on the allocation methodology, so it is a very sad day for the whanau but I want to acknowledge her contribution to Maori Fisheries," Mr Tuuta says.
The tangi for Evelyn Tuuta was held today at Waiwhetu Marae in Lower Hutt.
Copyright © 2017, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com