The Cook Islands Queen's Representative, Sir Fredrick Goodwin, has joined the many to pay tribute to the Maori Queen who passed away at Ngaruwahia yesterday.
Dame Te Atairangikaahu, who was 75, had a very close relationship with the people of the Pacific, in particular the people of Takitumu on Rarotonga.
Sir Fredrick, who was one of many Cook Islanders who attended the Maori Queen's 40th anniversary at Turangawaewae earlier this year, says they were treated like royalty, something he won't forget.
"The overwhelming hospitality showered upon the team from Takitumu and from the Cook Islands who were at the celebrations. It is a sad loss both to New Zealand and the Cook Islands."
