1. Te Atairangikaahu's reign was the longest of any Maori monarch.
15 Facts About Te Atairangikaahu
1. 2.
Te Atairangikaahu was born to the name Pikimene Koroki Mahuta within the marriage of Koroki Mahuta and Te Atairangikaahu Herangi; Koroki Mahuta fathered older daughters, Tuura the younger of two, both by Tepaia, an earlier relationship.
3.
Te Atairangikaahu was a descendant of the first Maori king, Potatau Te Wherowhero.
4.
Te Atairangikaahu attended Rakaumanga Primary School and Waikato Diocesan School for Girls.
5.
Te Atairangikaahu was an avid supporter of Maori cultural and sporting events and played an active role in local and global political events involving indigenous issues.
6.
Te Atairangikaahu continued to live at their residence with his son until his death in 2011.
7.
In December 2005, Te Atairangikaahu started dialysis treatment when her kidneys began to fail.
8.
Te Atairangikaahu was discharged from hospital later in the month, in time to celebrate her 75th birthday.
9.
Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu died on 15 August 2006 at her official residence, Turangawaewae marae in Ngaruawahia.
10.
Te Atairangikaahu's death sparked a week of mourning for Maoridom leading to her funeral on 21 August 2006.
11.
Te Atairangikaahu is buried on Taupiri mountain in an unmarked grave, as are her ancestors, as a sign of equality with their people.
12.
Te Atairangikaahu herself was her father's second daughter, though the eldest was not born to his wife, so any of her children or a leading figure from another iwi could have been appointed as her successor.
13.
On 6 February 1987, Te Atairangikaahu was the first appointee to the Order of New Zealand and her badge of the order bears the number 1.
14.
Te Atairangikaahu was awarded an honorary doctorate from Waikato University in 1973, and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Victoria University in 1999.
15.
Te Atairangikaahu was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal, and in 1993, she was awarded the New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal.