Lady Raiha Mahuta passed away

Lady Raiha Mahuta, co-negotiator for the Waikato River Settlement for Waikato-Tainui passed away in the early hours this morning at her daughter’s home in Ngāruawāhia, Waikato-Tainui MP Nanaia Mahuta. Co-negotiator for the river deal, Tukoroirangi Morgan reminisces with sadness.

“She was guided by the vision and strategy that our people have held since the confiscations of our lands, rivers and harbours and that has always been the return of the mana of the river and the mana whakahaere including our customary fishing rights and authority over the river. She fought the fight to ensure our future generations would once again be proud of what is rightfully an integral part of our tribal heritage and she will be forever etched in the currents that flow through this tribal taonga.”

It is understood that Lady Raiha Mahuta suffered with cancer throughout the entire period of negotiation but never lost sight of the vision that was so dear to her husband, the late Sir Robert Mahuta.

She will be taken to Wāhi marae in Huntly later today where she will lie for two days. However, en route, the cortege will stop briefly at Tūrangawaewae marae this afternoon at the marae of the Māori King Tuheitia and then at Hopuhopu where her husband the late Sir Robert Mahuta is buried and also at Taupiri mountain where the late Queen Te Arikinui Te Atairangikāhu was laid to rest.

Lady Mahuta spent her life in Tainui although she was of Ngāti Manu descent from the Bay of Islands and it is understood that she will be taken back and laid to rest among her people.

“Moe mai e kui i roto i te Atua, pai marire”

ENDS

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