Māori Council Mourns The Loss Of Respected Leader Tamati Cairns
The New Zealand Māori Council is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Tamati Cairns, a long-standing member, respected leader, and Pou (Pillar) of our Council.
Tamati devoted many years of tireless service to advancing the aspirations of Māori communities throughout Aotearoa. His wisdom, strength, and unwavering commitment have left an indelible mark on the Council and those privileged to work alongside him. As a leader grounded in tikanga, whānau, and kaupapa Māori, Tamati's presence was both anchoring and inspiring.
Tamati was not only a strategic thinker and staunch advocate for Māori development, but also a man of great mana and humility. His contributions will be remembered not only within the Council but across the motu.
He will be taken by his whānau from Heretaunga to his final resting place at Mataatua Marae, Rotorua, where he will be laid among his tūpuna.
On behalf of the New Zealand Māori Council, we extend our deepest condolences to Tamati's whānau, in particular to our Co-Chair Anne Kendall, his sister. We acknowledge the pain of this loss and send our aroha and strength to her and the wider whānau during this time of immense grief.
As we reflect on the legacy of Tamati Cairns, we honour his memory by continuing the mahi with the same passion and dedication he exemplified throughout his life.
Moe mai rā, e te rangatira. Haere atu rā.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
10 hours ago
- Scoop
Denise Eaglesome-Karekare Announces Mayoral Bid: 'Wairoa Is In My Heart, And I'm Ready To Serve'
Press Release – Denise Eaglesome-Karekare Denises campaign is rooted in inclusive, community-driven progress, with a strong focus on practical, homegrown solutions. Wairoa District Deputy Mayor Denise Eaglesome-Karekare has today confirmed she will stand for the Mayoralty in the upcoming 2025 Local Body Elections, offering her experience, passion, and deep community connection to the people of Wairoa. A proud wahine Māori of Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa descent, Denise brings with her a life shaped by service — in whānau, in community, and in leadership. 'I was born and raised here. Wairoa is my tūrangawaewae. I've spent my life working alongside our people through tough times and triumphs — and now, I'm stepping forward to serve in a new way.' With over two decades on Council — including five terms as Deputy Mayor — and as long-serving Chief Executive of the Wairoa Young Achievers Trust, Denise has helped shape some of the district's most impactful community initiatives. Her work has focused on youth development, local employment, housing, and supporting whānau through both opportunity and adversity. 'I've always believed in getting stuck in, not standing back. The chance to represent our district as Mayor is not something I take lightly — it's a responsibility I would carry with humility, and with a deep commitment to everyone who calls Wairoa home.' Denise's campaign is rooted in inclusive, community-driven progress, with a strong focus on practical, homegrown solutions. Her Local First approach puts Wairoa at the centre — advocating for better infrastructure, stronger support for whānau, and economic renewal built from the ground up, for the benefit of generations to come. 'This election is about the future — about working together for a Wairoa that thrives, where our tamariki and mokopuna can see their dreams here at home. I believe in the strength of our people, and I'm ready to serve with open ears, an open heart, and clear direction.'
Scoop
13 hours ago
- Scoop
Denise Eaglesome-Karekare Announces Mayoral Bid: 'Wairoa Is In My Heart, And I'm Ready To Serve'
Wairoa District Deputy Mayor Denise Eaglesome-Karekare has today confirmed she will stand for the Mayoralty in the upcoming 2025 Local Body Elections, offering her experience, passion, and deep community connection to the people of Wairoa. A proud wahine Māori of Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa descent, Denise brings with her a life shaped by service — in whānau, in community, and in leadership. 'I was born and raised here. Wairoa is my tūrangawaewae. I've spent my life working alongside our people through tough times and triumphs — and now, I'm stepping forward to serve in a new way.' With over two decades on Council — including five terms as Deputy Mayor — and as long-serving Chief Executive of the Wairoa Young Achievers Trust, Denise has helped shape some of the district's most impactful community initiatives. Her work has focused on youth development, local employment, housing, and supporting whānau through both opportunity and adversity. 'I've always believed in getting stuck in, not standing back. The chance to represent our district as Mayor is not something I take lightly — it's a responsibility I would carry with humility, and with a deep commitment to everyone who calls Wairoa home.' Denise's campaign is rooted in inclusive, community-driven progress, with a strong focus on practical, homegrown solutions. Her Local First approach puts Wairoa at the centre — advocating for better infrastructure, stronger support for whānau, and economic renewal built from the ground up, for the benefit of generations to come. 'This election is about the future — about working together for a Wairoa that thrives, where our tamariki and mokopuna can see their dreams here at home. I believe in the strength of our people, and I'm ready to serve with open ears, an open heart, and clear direction.'
RNZ News
14 hours ago
- RNZ News
Pita Tipene to step down as Waitangi National Trust chair
Pita Tipene. Photo: RNZ / Liu Chen The Waitangi National Trust's Pita Tipene is stepping down as trust chair after serving on the board for almost a decade. Tīpene has been a member of the board for nine years, the maximum length set out in the Waitangi National Trust Board Act 1932 before board members must step down. Fellow board members Jane Fletcher and Mita Harris will also close out their time with on the board. He joined the Trust in July, 2016 as a representative of the descendants of Maihi Kawiti, before becoming chair in 2018, taking over from Ngāpuhi kaumatua Pita Paraone who stepped down. The 14-member board will meet on Friday to vote on a new chair. Speaking to RNZ, Tipene said he and other departing board members were confident the Trust would in be left in safe hands. "The journey has been one fantastic experience, working alongside some very capable people." The now scrapped Treaty Principles Bill saw the heat turned up at this year's Waitangi commemorations, leading to protests by Ngāpuhi, ACT Leader David Seymour having his microphone taken away multiple times and threats by NZ First MP Shane Jones threaten to cut funding for the trust. Tipene said ensuring the Crown and Māori had an opportunity to speak with each other face to face was one of the most important parts of the job. "As there may be, as I describe it, 'heat' being brought to the situation we do our best as the Waitangi National Trust to provide an environment where we can bring more light that promise and allow people to have debate and discussion and understand perspectives. "We remember that we are kaitiaki of the grounds, the people on the ground and the wairua. We have to be ensuring everybody is safe to have that debate." Tipene said while he was sad his time on the board was coming to an end, he was a firm believer in refreshing and revitalising organisations. "Some people had suggested to me that I could be like Vladimir Putin and, maybe, change the constitution and stay there forever - obviously that's not going to happen." RNZ understand the Trust's deputy chair Tania Simpson is the frontrunner to take over the top job. Simpson holds a number of director roles across many New Zealand companies, is a member of the Waitangi Tribunal, was awarded the rank of Officer of the NZ Order of Merit in 2024 and has been Deputy Chair of Waitangi National Trust since 2018. Tipene said while there was absolutely "no doubt" Simpson was the go-to person to fill the chair position, her time on the board was also running out. "Tania's tenure on the board is coming up very quickly on the board too, I think it's only another 9 months," Tipene said. "That doesn't take away the absolute skills, wisdom and application and determination that Tania brings to any board, let alone the Waitangi National Trust. But this is how it works and, sadly, we're going to lose Tania too." Tipene said the highlight of his time as chair was the opening of the Te Rau Aroha museum in 2020, which remembers the men and women who risked their lives during the Second World War in the service of their country. Having the late Robert 'Bom' Gillies at the opening was something that "remains etched in my mind and my heart". "I'm leaving something that I'm very passionate about but its all been a great journey and I will arrive at the destination on Friday," Tipene said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
