E te Māreikura, kua wehe atu koe ki te pō. He kuia tēnei I kawea mai ōna āhuatanga motuhake ki tēnei āo hurihuri o tatou.
It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our beloved Dame Temuranga June Batley-Jackson. She was known for her warrior-type leadership, never backing away from advocating for Māori, and was the leading voice in the campaign for Māori in the cities to get recognition.
From 1986 to 2009, Whāea June (Ngāti Maniapoto) stood as the founding Chief Executive Officer of Manukau Urban Māori Authority. Our organization is set out to foster the economic, social, and community development of Maori living in the cities – a kaupapa Whāea June spent her life advocating for.
Along with John Tamihere of Waipareira Trust, she fought for the rights of Urban Māori fisheries assets. Their case went all the way to the Privy Council and is the reason why Urban Maori have rights and recognition today.
Whāea June is also renowned for her 20 years of service on the New Zealand Parole Board, the longest-serving time of any Board member in the country. Then, in 2010, Whāea June was appointed a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order for Public services in recognition of her tireless fight and advocacy for systematic change and rights for Māori.
She was known for her ferocity in advancing kaupapa and her intolerance of ignorance. In a public announcement, Whāea June was described as “Formidable, fearless, and no-nonsense,” by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, knowing the Dame would not hesitate to meet a challenge head-on.
She was not only a great leader and the ultimate Mana Wahine, but also a devoted wife to her late husband Bob, and a wonderful mother and grandmother to her many mokopuna. We will miss her very much.
Nō reira e kui, moe mai rā. Ka mutu, he nui atu ngā kōrero e taea ai te whakatakoto. Ēngari, ko te mea nui ko tō aroha mutungakore ki a mātou. Mā te Atua koe e arataki I tō hikoi whakamutunga.
The Tangi for Dame June is currently being held at Nga Whare Waatea Marae in Māngere. Her final service and nehu-burial will be held this Friday at 10 am where she will lie by her husband at the St James Urupā in Māngere bridge.