Kua taka atu rā te hou kōtuku i titia ki te pane, takaia kē ia ki te parekawakawa. Takoto mai e te mareikura kia tangihia.

The plume of the kōtuku that once adorned has fallen, to be replaced by the mourning chaplet. Repose so that you may be lamented.

Barbara was a tremendous servant of the Manawatū community, having last year received the Queen's Service Medal in recognition of her work.

Barbara had a background in education and then later public health. In 1998 she became the first Māori person to be elected to Manawatū District Council and she twice served on Council for a total of 15 years, with her last term ending in 2019.

Manawatū District Mayor Helen Worboys says that Barbara’s commitment to her role on Council was outstanding and she will be dearly missed.

“I want to acknowledge the outstanding service and commitment that Barbara made to her community, our Council and her national work. Barbara was a lady with impeccable manners and a sense of always doing the right thing by anyone she advocated for. Our sincerest sympathy goes to her family,” says Mayor Worboys.

She was a remarkable woman, even though she may not have thought that she was remarkable, and the outpouring of love from people since news of her passing demonstrates that she was treasured by the Manawatū community.

The team at Manawatū District Council wish to pass on our condolences Barbara’s whānau and friends at this extremely difficult time.

E moe, moe mai, moe marire mai rā. Rest in peace.