Te Uruhina McGarvey

Te Uruhina McGarvey-Tiakiwai (27 September 1927 – 5 June 2015) was a New Zealand Māori leader. A kuia of Ngāi Tūhoe and Te Arawa, she was also of English and Scottish descent.

Te Uruhina McGarvey
Born
Te Uruhina Tiakiwai

(1927-09-27)27 September 1927
Ruatoki, New Zealand
Died5 June 2015(2015-06-05) (aged 87)
Ruatoki, New Zealand
Other namesTe Uru-Hina McGarvey
ChildrenTuruhira Hare and others
AwardsSir Kingi Ihaka award (2009)
HonoursMataatua Kapa Haka Festival (life member)

A skilled kaikaranga, McGarvey advocated for education and the retention of Māori language and customs, and played an active role in tribal issues.[1] During the 1940s she became an active member of the Te Wharekura o Ruatoki school. She mentored and tutored Māori cultural groups from around New Zealand and she was a judge at kapa haka competitions in New Zealand and Australia.

Born in 1927, McGarvey was a niece of soldier and community leader Henry Te Reiwhati Vercoe, and a first cousin of Whakahuihui Vercoe, who was the Archbishop of New Zealand from 2004 to 2006. The Māori educator Turuhira Hare is her daughter.

In 2009 McGarvey was a recipient of the Sir Kingi Ihaka award at the Creative New Zealand Te Waka Toi Awards in recognition for her "lifetime contribution to the development and retention of Māori arts and culture."[2]

McGarvey died on 5 June 2015, in Ruatoki. Her body was taken to Waikirikiri marae, where she lay in state for four days. Mourners at her tangi included former MP Tuku Morgan and the Māori king, Tuheitia Paki. Former Māori news presenter and actor Waihoroi Shortland attended the tangi and said that McGarvey was "the voice that guided Tūhoe in hard times."[1] Te Uruhina is survived by her 8 children, over 90 of her great-grandchildren, and over 100 of her direct descendants.

References
  1. McLean, Mere (8 June 2015). "Te Uruhina McGarvey farewelled in Ruatoki". Māori Television News. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  2. "Renowned writer takes top Māori award". Creative New Zealand. 28 August 2009. Retrieved 24 June 2015.


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