Leading Rotorua kapa haka exponent, teacher, mother and grandmother Taini Morrison has died suddenly - leaving family and friends stunned.
Best known as the blonde female leader of champion kapa haka group Te Matarae-i-o-Rehu, Ms Morrison died suddenly yesterday morning from a suspected heart condition. She was 51.
News of her death
has stunned the Rotorua community.
Family spokesman Monty Morrison said they were all shocked and were gathering in Rotorua during the next few days to farewell her. He said her exact cause of death was yet to be confirmed.
"Obviously it is a very sad time for the family, it was completely unexpected," he said.
Te Matarae-i-O-Rehu cultural group leader Wetini Mitai-Ngatai said Ms Morrison was an icon in Maoridom for her passion for kapa haka and love of the old ways.
"Mana and presence just oozed out of her," he said.
"She was with the group almost since its inception. She was a great leader with a strong personality, I will miss her so much," Mr Mitai-Ngatai said.
Ms Morrison, sister of actor Temuera Morrison, also taught at Rotorua Primary School for about six years.
School principal John Naera said her in-depth knowledge of all things Ngati Whakaue and of Maori in general would leave a void that would be hard to fill.
"In the past few years, she had taken over the Ngati Whakaue Enrichment Unit working with children to enhance their reading and oral learning.
"She had a passion for ensuring our Maori children got every opportunity to succeed. That passion for our youth will be sorely missed."
Mr Naera said the school held a small service for Ms Morrison yesterday.
Deputy Mayor Trevor Maxwell said he was shocked to hear the news and hoped it was a mistake.
He said the last time he saw Ms Morrison was on Thursday when she and fellow kapa haka colleagues helped welcome a review panel from Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival. "She was there with us for the big welcome and was surrounded by her precious tamariki [children]."
Mr Maxwell said hearing of her sudden death brought back painful memories of the loss of his wife, Atareta Maxwell, also to a heart condition. Mrs Maxwell, who was Ms Morrison's aunt, died in January 2007.
Ms Morrison is survived by her husband Daff Hare, their two children Miriama and Te Wharekotua, and three grandchildren.
Her body was at the Morrison family home and was to be taken to Te Papa-i-o-uru Marae at Ohinemutu today about 11am.
A funeral service has been arranged for Thursday.