5 Jul 2013

Maori Women's Welfare league farewells beauty queen

7:22 pm on 5 July 2013

The Maori Women's Welfare League is paying tribute to former Maori beauty queen and Rotorua District Councillor, Maureen Waaka.

The Maori Women's Welfare League is paying tribute to former Maori beauty queen and Rotorua District Councillor, Maureen Waaka.

Mrs Waaka died, aged 70, in Rotorua hospital on Monday, surrounded by her whanau.

League national president Kataraina O'Brien says Mrs Waaka's passing prompted the image of a stunning, diligent, graceful and dignified wahine that will be long embedded in many people's minds.

She says when she rose to fame as Miss New Zealand in 1962, Maoridom was gripped with a huge sense of pride.

Unwittingly, Ms O'Brien says, Mrs Waaka made a difference in many lives, especially to the esteem of wahine Maori.

Maureen Waaka was laid to rest on Thursdday at Kauae cemetery near Rotorua.