Just tell them the Dame said it's OK
Dame Aroha Reriti-Crofts DNZM CBE JP, Ngāi Tūāhuriri, Ngāi Tahu
Te Aka Wāhine o Te Waipounamu honour the life of Dame Aroha Reriti-Crofts who died last month at 83 years of age.
Dame Aroha was from Tuahiwi, Ōtautahi and was well-known for her work as the former national president of the Māori Women’s Welfare League and for her life of service to her community and her people. In the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours she was appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to Māori and the community.
The local members of the organising committee for the inaugural Women in Public Service Southern Summit held last year were honoured to meet with Dame Aroha and to have her support. Dame Aroha opened the Summit with a karakia and gave her blessing ensuring tikanga for the day. We will always feel tremendous gratitude for her support.
Ka tangi te tītī,
Ka tangi te kākā,
Ka tangi hoki ahau.
Tīhei Mauri Ora
The bellbird is calling,
The kākā is calling,
I wish to call.
Behold there is life!