Maori Of This Year 2007

I intend to pick my "Maori of the Year 2007. " It's not been an easy job but some people like winners of the past have tended to pick themselves, like Tariana Turia. I did have a tendency to pick those who generate news or comment in the media. In a sense this is nothing more than a media created celebrity status which they often give to people who deserve nothing more than a good puke of disgust, like some rich American white kid whose name I now forget; you know the blonde caked in layers of makeup. I try to get above that for Maori of the year. My choices are purely my own. I have no panel and all the opinionated talk back and other right wing commentators can go to hell as far as relying on their red neckery is concerned. They and others have set back race relations for a century at least.

So what criteria do I use then? My own biasses obviously and not only Maori. One year I considered the late Michael King, author and otherwise positive contributor to race relations. I try and pick those who have made a positive contribution to Maori development in whatever field. I also consider those whom I know up close and their commitment to a tangata whenua cause. This year I will choose my own own Aunt Huhana Reihana who passed away this year. These are her brief biographical details:

- She died aged 83 the last of five sisters and three brothers the whanau of Hamiora and Meti Ritete of Te Aukiwa, Ngati Ruaiti, and Te Rarawa amongst others of their hapu and iwi of Tai Tokerau.

- She married Hopa Ho Reihana of Te Whanau Moana and Te Rorohuri.

- They had a large whanau and lived at Wairahoraho on the Karikari- Whatuwhiwhi Peninsular.

- In her last years she took a keen interest in Ngati Kahu affairs including our Waitangi claims. She went on the hikoi to Wellington against the Fore Shore and Seabed Bill. At the end of it which she did from Te Papa to Parliament in a wheel chair she got up and her and a relative Merimeri Penfold did the line dance. Not a photographer or TV Camera in sight. Where are they when a photo opportunity such as this happens? Looking for some dumb blonde no doubt.

- She walked up her Maunga Puheke unaided to see the erection of the poupou we put up there to commemorate our occupation of Rangiputa Block. She didn't quite make the top but at 83 it was a great effort and showed her commitment to our kaupapa of getting back the whenua.

Without any further ado then may I present my Aunt and my mothers youngest sister and the last of their whanau: Huhana is last on the right and Mei my mother is the first on the left standing. They are with kaumatua and whanau at a function for Ngati Kahu kaumatua.