Ngāneko Minhinnick
Dame Ngāneko Minhinnick | |
|---|---|
 Minhinnick in 2013 | |
| Born | 15 August 1939 |
| Died | 15 June 2017 (aged 77) |
| Known for | Ngāti Te Ata leader |
| Spouse | Eden Minhinnick |
Dame Ngāneko Kaihau Minhinnick DNZM JP (15 August 1939 – 15 June 2017) was a New Zealand Māori leader.
Biography
Born on 15 August 1939 of Ngāti Te Ata descent, Minhinnick grew up in Waiuku and was one of 15 children.[1][2] From an early age she was chosen by her people as a future leader, attending Māori Land Court hearings from the age of 11, and becoming kaitiaki of Tāhuna Marae when she was 19 years old.[3] She had married her husband, Eden Minhinnick, when she was 16.[2][4]
Minhinnick was named the New Zealand Māori Council's young woman of the year in 1970, recognising her involvement in community affairs as a justice of the peace, Māori language interpreter, and teacher of Māori language at night classes.[4]
In 1985, Minhinnick was one of the leaders of the Manukau Harbour Claim concerning pollution of the harbour to the Waitangi Tribunal.[3][5] The tribunal's report, and Minhinnick's subsequent submissions to the government, were factors in the development of the Resource Management Act 1991.[5] She represented her iwi at the United Nations Human Rights Council in 1988,[3] and invited a United Nations special rapporteur to Tāhuna Marae.[5] She also sat on the Auckland Regional Council.[5]
In the 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours, Minhinnick was appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori and conservation.[6] Her investiture was at Government House in Wellington on 5 September 2013.[7]
Minhinnick died on 15 June 2017, and her tangihanga (a traditional Māori funeral rite) was held at Tāhuna Marae.[3]
References
- ^ "Death search: registration number 2017/15837". Births, deaths and marriages online. Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
- ^ a b Polley, Natalie (2 June 2013). "Dame Nganeko's proudest feat is her family". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ^ a b c d Boynton, John (19 June 2017). "Tangi for pioneering Ngati Te Ata leader being held at Tahuna Marae in Waiuku". Waikato Times. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ^ a b "Rangatahi weekend". Te Ao Hou (68): 38–39. 1970. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ^ a b c d Collins, Simon (16 June 2017). "Manukau Harbour claimant Dame Nganeko Minhinnick dies". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ^ "Queen's Birthday honours list 2013". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
- ^ "Celebration for Dame Nganeko Minihinnick". Waatea News. 5 September 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2017.