Aunty Ake

E tangi mōteatea ana a Ngāti Moki,
a Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki,
Mōhou e te tāua, e te wahine nui puku,
Ko koe ka noho ki te manawa,
Ko mātou ka hopo, ka auē,
Kia au te moe ki ōu tīpuna, ki te wāhi ngaro.
Okioki mai rā.

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Maria Moimoi Johnson (Aunty Ake). Aunty Ake was an extremely passionate rūnanga member, who took every opportunity to represent Taumutu at many varied events within the community, and she will be sadly missed not only by members of the rūnanga but also present and past folk of the Taumutu, Sedgemere, Lakeside, Southbridge and Leeston communities, and the wider whānau of Ngāi Tahu.

Aunty Ake recently had her 90th birthday and we were very fortunate to have had the opportunity to help her celebrate at the recent book launch held at Ngāti Moki Marae.

Aunty Ake’s actual birthday was 1 April, and the rūnanga had planned to have the surprise birthday cake and gift giving at the rūnanga meeting earlier in the month, however it wasn’t to be.

Aunty Ake was very active in rūnanga and marae affairs, often out and about within the community representing Taumutu at events including graduations at Lincoln University and with the Department of Corrections in her Kaiwhakamana role.