The Prime Minister Helen Clark sent this letter yesterday to the family of Dame Atairangikaahu at Ngaruawahia.
Oho ana te mauri i te rongo kua moe a Te Atairangikaahu i te moenga roa. He wahine wehi, he wahine kaha, ki te hiki i nga mahi mo ona iwi. Kei tetangi te Ao Maori me to Ao Pakeha mo tenei wahine humarie. Ko ia te manawa o Waikato Tainui, o te iwi Maori nana i tuhonohono nga iwi.
I send my aroha to you, the whanau pani, and with my Government express deepest sympathy at the loss of Te Arikinui, Dame Te Atairangikaahu. Over the years of coming to Turangawaewae and meeting with Dame Te Ata in other settings, I have gained a profound respect for her wisdom, talents, and humour.
New Zealand has lost a national treasure - a woman of great judgment and vision who has touched the lives of all who met her.
In this time of sorrow I hope you may draw strength from your people and the many others who will pay tribute to Dame Te Ata and her work.
Aku mihi aroha.
Helen Clark, Prime Minister
The first paragraph says:
My spirit (literally life force) has been startled by the news of the passing of Te Atairangikaahu: an awe-inspiring woman, a strong woman who worked assiduously for her people. The Maori world and the Pakeha world mourn the loss of this gentle woman. She is the heart of Waikato Tainui, and she drew together Maori people and the tribes.
