Māori broadcaster, Puhi Rangiaho, has passed away after a long illness. She died at Tauranga Hospital surrounded by whānau last night.
Puhi Rangiaho, Ngāi Tūhoe, was among the first to lead Māori broadcasting into mainstream, with Waka Huia alumni like Whai Ngata.
She was a director of the Aotearoa Television Network which faced many challenges but also paved the hard fought establishment of Māori Television.
With an unwavering dedication to te reo Māori, she worked on ground-breaking productions like The Merchant of Venice and the critically acclaimed television series Mataku.
Māori producer, Hone Edwards, says no matter what language she used or whatever circles she moved in, her dedication to quality was exquisite.
"Puhi was the doyenne of Māori tikanga in television broadcasting. She had the perfect skill-set to access our kuia and koroua using their cultural settings and their reo," said Hone Edwards.
Puhi Rangiaho is expected to be taken home to Tauarau Marae in Ruatoki today.
She will be sadly missed by Te Ao Papāho Māori. Moe mai e hoa i tōu moengaroa.