37 Comments
User's avatar
Jean Rockel's avatar

Thanks for this Nick. I remember her portrait - she was such a beautiful woman. She needs to be remembered for her incredible intellect and persona.

Mac Stevenson's avatar

Thank you Nick for highlighting this wonderful woman and her work. I guess it is understandable, however I find the older I become the more history of Aotearoa I learn. Wish I had learned so much more so much earlier.

Jeremy Coleman's avatar

A fabulous story today. I can’t help but wonder how much indigenous talent, wisdom and knowledge across the world is stifled by the belief felt by so many, after decades and centuries of oppression and violence, that they aren’t worthy of being called upon to share their culture, thoughts and beliefs with others. How many Makereti Papakuras are out there in AotearoaNZ, who will never be heard because they feel the unjust stigma attached to their heritage?

How many more will brave the waters and show us all just what the country is missing through rampant prejudice, misinformation and ignorance? All it takes for them to shine is one simple chance. All it takes from the rest of us is the will to let them be heard and seen, not relegated to the sidelines by a society which doesn’t appreciate or care. Makereti took the chance and deserves the recognition she has been granted. There are so many more waiting in the wings. They just need to believe they can do it.

A great song to finish the Korero today Nick.

wikitoria's avatar

Ka tangi ahau tōu whakaaro aroha.

Tika tou kōrero.

Jeremy Coleman's avatar

Thank you wikitoria for your kind words. (I had to get your reply translated. Australians aren’t very good at Te reo Maori)😊

wikitoria's avatar

Aroha mai. (I'm sorry) your kōrero (talk) touched my heart in the truthfulness of it. So much unrealised potential. By the way, I lived in Sydney for 12 years. I love Australia! Didn't want to come home. But, that's another story.

Jeremy Coleman's avatar

Don’t apologise, it was lovely to read in either language. 🙂I was thinking about my own country’s indigenous people as well when I wrote my comment. You’re absolutely right, so much untapped potential…..

Josephine's avatar

Tautoko Jeremy. Beautifully articulated

Jeremy Coleman's avatar

Thanks Josephine. As wikitoria said, so much unrealised potential, so very sad…

Sharon Simonsen's avatar

Teao Maori did a story on this amazing woman back in April this year. I was captivated by her story. How scary it must've been.

B Insull's avatar

Wonderful history thank you Nick for finding. TVNZ news??

Alison Kroon's avatar

Wonderful. And quite extraordinary!

Christine Hayvice's avatar

Fascinating. An incredible woman.

Susan B Hadley's avatar

Thank you Nick. A moving tribute and the videos brought tears, particularly the karanga at Oxford.

Fran Hazid's avatar

Thanks for sharing Nick. What an incredible story of an amazing, trailblazing wahine! We need more stories like this, and speaking as a pakeha, I need to seek them out!

Patricia Bremner's avatar

I was lucky enough to teach a Papakura descendant. She too was beautiful and full of grace.

Diane Shaw's avatar

I learnt about this remarkable woman some time ago. We need to celebrate and promote our nation's quiet achievers, many of whom were well ahead of their time.

John's avatar

I knew of Makereti...such an inspiring story and so glad she was finally recognized. Thanks for sharing Nick.

Jo's avatar

Thank you Nick. It is great to have such incredible stories shared, as so much isn’t. But I also support your efforts to find a positive story in the obscene amount of negativity around Aotearoa at this time. Ngā mihinui 🥹

Heather Thompson's avatar

Thanks Nick, nice to hear your personal link to Rotorua and it's history. Great that Makareti has had her achievements recognised. I have read of this occasion in posts on social media but hadn't really paused to consider the size of her achievement at that time. What a shame she died before being able to complete and return. Good her contribution is now recognised.

Jane Cooper's avatar

That's a wonderful story.

Cheryl McConnell's avatar

Thanks for an uplifting story.

John Blyde's avatar

Absolutely fantastic, thanks Nick