Dr Malini Yugendran
Auckland, January 26, 2023
Kuia, Titewhai Te Hoia Hinewhare Harawira, Ngāti Hine activist and a polarising figure passed away at the age of 90 on 25 January 2023. Ms Harawira was known for her strong advocacy for the rights of the Māori language, people and land.
Former MP Hone Harawira said his mother, Ms Harawira, will move from her home in Avondale to Hoani Waititi Marae in Henderson where she will lie in state.
She will then return to the north for burial.
1998 Waitangi incident.
Ms Harawira was known, among other things, for leading the Prime Ministers into the Waitangi Day celebration grounds and infamously for making Helen Clark cry.
The Ngāpuhi (a Māori iwi associated with the Northland region of New Zealand) traditionally forbade women from speaking at the marae (meeting grounds) at Waitangi. However, Helen Clark had been given special permission to do so during the powhiri (a traditional ceremony welcoming people onto a marae) of the Waitangi Day ceremony since she was the prime minister.
Harawira objected to it not out of respect for her custom but that a Pakeha woman was granted speaking rights when Māori women were denied the same opportunity.
She went over to Helen Clark and told her to sit down and be quiet. Harawira’s daughter Hinewhare came to the marae and swore to hit Clark if she got up. A usually steely and composed Ms Clark, was seen wiping her tears on live television.
Controversial individual
Ms Kim Muriwai, a specialist Reo teacher said, “During my childhood and teenage years, Titewhai was a controversial figure who always seemed to be angry and protesting about something on the 6 o’clock news. As I learned more history, I came to understand the source of that fierce, unwavering determination. I respected her commitment to putting her body on the frontline for change.”
Personal life
Born in the Northland region of New Zealand in 1932, Ms Harawira was a member of the Ngāpuhi iwi, one of the largest Māori tribes. A nurse by training, she married John Harawira in 1952. The couples were biological parents to 9 of their 12 children. Mr Harawira passed away in 1977 leaving Ms Harawira to take on the responsibility of raising her big family single-handedly. She successfully raised a very close-knit family.
Activist work
In the early 1970s, Ms Harawira joined the protest movement Ngā Tamatoa and actively campaigned for the revival and reinstatement of the Māori language. The movement led to Reo becoming Aotearoa’s official language.
Mariam Arif, an Ethnic Liaison Officer of the New Zealand Police said, “As an ethnic person myself who values the notion of proud identities, I bow my head in respect for her unapologetic Māori spirit – teaching us to forever be true to ourselves.”
Ms Muriwai said, “Titewhai was one of our most fierce activists fuelled by injustices of the past and a deep love of future generations.”
Land rights
Ms Harawira was one of the organisers of the 1975 land hīkoi, which marched from the Far North to Parliament. She had witnessed first-hand the alienation of Māori land while growing up during WWII, which planted the roots for her commitment to land rights.
Women’s welfare
Ms Harawira was also active in the Māori Women’s Welfare League.
Mathew Tukaki, Director of the Office of Suicide Prevention wrote in his Facebook post, “She was of a generation where the role of women was defined by men, in a way that saw her break that mould – and break it she did.”
Ms Arif said, “She was also one of those women who was so confident and so grounded, she never shied away from speaking her mind.”
Ms Muriwai said, “I had the very real privilege of serving on a board alongside her. She was still fierce and fearless, sharp of tongue and mind, but she was also supportive and caring towards this Ngāpuhi woman of a younger generation. I sensed the deep love for her mokopuna (grandchildren, or sometimes children) and their future that also fuelled her steadfast activism.”
According to former New Zealand First MP Shane Jones, she was a feisty, motivated campaigner who made controversial remarks and was also critical of her own people.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said, “Look, there will be a lot of Kiwis who did not agree with Titewhai Harawira, but no one could doubt her passion, or her sincerity, and her commitment to Māori – particularly urban Māori.”
Remembering her style
Ms Muriwai said, “Ms Harawira was also stylish, at least in her later years. She had immaculately manicured hands.” Ms Harawira wore gloves and was almost always perfectly dressed.
Ms Harawira is remembered as a proud wāhine who wore her heart on her sleeve.
Mr Tukaki said, “A great tree in the forest of our people has fallen. I for one will be forever thankful for the life, advocacy and voice…”
Dr Malini Yugendran is an Indian Newslink Reporter based in Auckland.
