Story: Kaumātua – Māori elders

Kaumātua: Mīria Simpson (3rd of 5)

Kaumātua: Mīria Simpson

Mīria Simpson was a renowned kuia of Ngāti Awa who passed away in 2002. Her formidable nature and passion for accuracy of te reo Māori (the Māori language) led to the nickname 'Taniwha No. 1'. She made a vital contribution to the preservation of te reo Māori in numerous forums, including the National Library, the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography and Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori – The Māori Language Commission.

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How to cite this page:

Rawinia Higgins and Paul Meredith, 'Kaumātua – Māori elders - Kaumātua and their role', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/28351/kaumatua-miria-simpson (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Rawinia Higgins and Paul Meredith, published 5 May 2011