23 Facts About Titewhai Harawira

Titewhai Te Hoia Hinewhare Harawira was a New Zealand Maori activist.

Titewhai Harawira became a nationally recognised figure due in part to her role escorting New Zealand prime ministers onto the marae during annual Waitangi Day celebrations.

Titewhai Harawira was born in 1932 in Whakapara, the eldest of seven children.

Titewhai Harawira was part of the iwi of Ngapuhi and Ngati Wai, and descended from Ngapuhi chiefs Eruera Maihi Patuone and Tamati Waka Nene.

Titewhai Harawira was raised by her mother's parents, attended Whakapara Native School followed by the Queen Victoria School for Maori Girls, and trained as a nurse.

Titewhai Harawira helped gather signatures, and has said the petition led to the revitalisation of the Maori language through the Maori Language Act 1987, the development of Maori language immersion schools like kohanga reo, kura kaupapa and wharekura, Maori Television and iwi radio stations, and wananga.

Titewhai Harawira criticised then prime minister Robert Muldoon and his National party government for what she described as their "racist attitudes", particularly towards young Maori.

Eva Rickard and Titewhai Harawira led a hikoi at Waitangi in 1984.

In 1990 Titewhai Harawira went to the Netherlands to ask the Dutch government to take back the name "New Zealand" so that the original Maori name of "Aotearoa" could be used for the country instead.

For many years, Titewhai Harawira undertook the informal role of welcoming and accompanying the New Zealand prime minister onto Te Tii marae at Waitangi during celebrations for Waitangi Day.

Ngati Hine leader Pita Tipene noted that although Titewhai Harawira had strong political views and was often critical of the government, she was always respectful in this role and "differentiated between politics and people".

In 1998 Titewhai Harawira publicly objected to Helen Clark, then the leader of the opposition party, speaking on the marae during the powhiri.

Titewhai Harawira explained that she objected to a non-Maori woman being given speaking rights when Ngapuhi women, like those of most iwi, were traditionally prevented from speaking on the marae.

Titewhai Harawira said she would not celebrate Waitangi Day at Waitangi in the future unless she was treated respectfully.

Titewhai Harawira said that she and Clark had met to discuss the issue, although did not give details.

In 2002, Clark returned to Te Tii marae and was escorted by Titewhai Harawira; Clark agreed it was "time to move on" and that it was important to re-establish a relationship between the government and Ngapuhi.

In 2013, Te Tii marae's board nominated a different woman to escort prime minister John Key, suggesting that Titewhai Harawira had "had her turn".

Titewhai Harawira was on the New Zealand Maori Council for 45 years, and was a talkback host on Radio Waatea.

Titewhai Harawira was active in supporting Ngapuhi's claims at the tribunal throughout its progress, and in January 2023 had worked to organise a meeting to discuss a recent tribunal report.

Titewhai Harawira was a polarising figure who was criticised by some political leaders and even sometimes by her own iwi for her style of activism.

In 2011, co-leader of the Maori Party, Pita Sharples, said Titewhai Harawira had turned up to a Maori Party meeting and had yelled and sung over the top of people speaking.

Titewhai Harawira was reported to have called Sharples' co-leader Tariana Turia a "snake" and a "bloody liar".

Titewhai Harawira observed that she had earned the respect of her own people, if not the Government, by "not compromising".