Dame June Hinekahukura Mariu, a former Silver Fern, teacher, youth advocate and community leader recognised for her services to Māori, has died at the age of 92.
Her death was announced by Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi in a Facebook post on Saturday.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our māmā, kōkā, kuia, whāea, Aunty June and Mrs M, Dame June Hinekahukura Mariu (née Waititi).
“She passed away late this morning on her papakainga Otamaroa, surrounded by her whānau.”
Mariu was the fifth captain of the Silver Ferns and the first to led the side to victory in 1960. She was also a New Zealand softball and indoor basketball representative.
She was national president of the Māori Women’s Welfare League from 1987 to 1990, chairperson of the Te Whānau O Waipareira Trust and a member of the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission.
Mariu worked as a teacher and as a lay advocate with youth and their whānau in West Auckland appearing at the Rangatahi Court based at Hoani Waititi Marae.
She was the National Co-ordinator for Aotearoa Māori Netball and was a trustee of the Māori Women’s Development Fund.
The work of Mariu has been recognised previously with a Queen’s Service Medal in 1985 and she became a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2006.
In 2012, Mariu was appointed a Dame of the New Zealand Order of Merit on the Queen’s Birthday and Diamond Jubilee honours list.
Waititi said she will lie in state at her marae Kauaetangohia in Whangaparāoa, East Cape until her burial on Tuesday.
“She will then be taken to Te Rua o Tamakorito urupā.
“Whakauu ko Matariki ki te akau, homai ko Autahi ki uta.”
