Miriama Rauhihi-Ness (second from left) and son - a very young Che Fu (right) pose with other members of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Photo / SuppliedMāori and Pasifika activists are mourning Ngā Tamatoa and Polynesian Panther heroine Miriama Rauhihi-Ness, who died suddenly from cancer on March 15. Polynesian Panthers' Will Ilolahia says it was through Rauhihi-Ness that the Panthers became involved in supporting the 1975 Māori Land March. She joined Ngā Tamatoa, the Māori activist group which petitioned to have te reo Māori recognised as an official language. Polynesian Panthers members from left back: Ariu 'Lanky' Sio, Eddie Williams, Henry Nee Nee, Wayne Toleafoa, (front) Miriama Rauhihi-Ness, Betty Nee Nee, and Janice Taylor.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 17, 2021 19:24 UTC