Màori Queen becomes an ancestor

Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu

Ancestor Queen of The Maori people

Born 1931

Crossed over 2006

Rimu-rimu, tere tere E rere ki te moana.

E tere ana ki te ripo I waho e.

Tirohia i waho rä E marino ana e

Kei roto i ahau E marangai ana e.

Kei te tio te huka I runga o ngä hiwi.

Kei te moe koromeke Te wairua e.

Rite tonu tö hanga Ki te tïrairaka e

Waihoki tö hanga Te wairangi e.

Seaweed drifting, drifting,

floating towards the (open) sea.

Drifting towards the whirlpool, out there.

Look out yonder all is calm.

Within me (my feelings) are storm tossed.

The snow is biting cold on the ridges,

lying contracted and coiled up is the spirit.

Your semblance is like that of the fantail

Likewise your semblance upsets (me) greatly.

Poroporoaki

may the ancestors be pleased with her efforts