NZEI Te Riu Roa has lost an esteemed pillar with the passing of Koro Alex Toma Waihirere, who served as the education union’s kaumātua for almost two decades.
“Koro Alex was a pillar of our union and a passionate advocate for the integration of tikanga Māori in education,” President Ripeka Lessels said.
“He provided cultural leadership and guidance to our members and senior leadership, ensuring that the union’s work remained grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.”
‘”We have lost a kaitiaki who guided us in navigating complex issues. His insights guided our strategic direction and will continue to shape our advocacy for years to come,” National Secretary Stephanie Mills said.
Koro Alex will return to Nga Hau e Wha Marae in Invercargill where he will remain for the duration of his tangihanga.
Note to Editors:
High-res photos of Koro Alex Toma Waihirere can be downloaded from this folder:
a. Koro Alex Toma Waihirere (front and centre) with NZEI Te Riu Roa members.
b. Portrait of Koro Alex Toma Waihirere
Below is a Pānui for Koro Alex Toma Waihirere written by President Ripeka Lessels
Ka tanuku, ka tanuku. Ka tanuku te tihi o Maungapōhatu, o Taiarahia, ka tanuku!
Ka horo te tihi tapu ki te riu o te Urewera e pari rā te tai ki tua.
Haere atu rā koe e te whatukura
Haere atu rā koe ki a Te Whakamoe
Release, release release the peaks of Maungapōhatu and Taiarahia, release.
Let the sacred summits descend into Te Urewera as the tide rests on the far shores
Go forth, O revered one
Go forth to our ancestor Te Whakamoe
E hotuhotu nei taku ngākau whakakīa
Taku ngākau i te wairua mokemoke
Kua ngaro rā koe i taku tangi hotu
E tihaehae nei i taku ngākau
My heart is full of grief
Consumed by loneliness
You are now gone from my incessant weeping
That tears at my heart
Māringiringi ai ngā wai i aku kamo
I te ngau kino o aroha
E ngunguru noa nei
I tō rironga atu.
E te koroua
E te kaipupuri I te mauri o te Riu Roa
Tears fall from eyes
The pain of love
That consumes from within
At your departing
You the guardian
Of the mauri of NZEI Te Riu Roa
Aue rā e te koroua, e te Pāpā, e te tūngane
Kua ngaro ra koe ki ngā kāhui whetū
Te hono ki Matariki
Alas, grandfather, father and brother
You have now departed to the stars
Joined with Matariki