Fish'n'chips and chat with a queen

Dame Te Ata doing a spot of shopping in Hamilton in late November 2004. Picture / Greg Bowker

To her people Dame Te Atairangikaahu was "tapu", a revered and sacred status.

Her position commanded utmost respect and fierce loyalty, unmatched by any other in Maoridom.

Yet she was not above stopping at the roadside and chatting to strangers while ordering fish and chips.

And she was just as comfortable with other royalty from around the world, and with politicians and boardroom executives.

It is clear Dame Te Ata cut across many boundaries of the socio-economic divide, despite her position within the Kingitanga movement.

Christopher White from Melbourne said many years ago his path crossed with Dame Te Ata's while he was travelling in New Zealand.

"We had stopped at a takeaway in a small country town when two cars pulled up and some well-dressed and elegant Maori got out to order food.

"I was unaware of their identities at the time, but did notice the beautiful tiki the only woman was wearing.

"I was introduced and we spoke briefly ... how many other royal persons would you be likely to meet at a small country fish-and-chip shop?"

Former Waikato Diocesan classmate Barbara Jolly, of Te Awamutu, said Dame Te Ata had shown leadership qualities from an early age and was a prefect at the school.

Dame Te Ata occasionally travelled to her farm for a catch-up.

"Her old school was a big bond. On one occasion she could not make a reunion, so she asked me to gather six people from our school years and bring them to Turangawaewae for lunch."

At Ngaruawahia, 74-year-old Rena Ngataki, a nanny for Dame Te Ata in the early years, said it didn't matter who you were, you could expect to receive the same treatment from the Maori Queen, irrespective of class.

"Who am I? I'm just a dishwasher. Despite her position, she did everything she could to pick you up and bring you with her."

Areti Metuamate said as a youth delegate she met Dame Te Ata at a Wellington hui last year.

"I remember getting in to a lift she was also getting in to and when I moved out of her way so she and those accompanying her could get in to the lift first, she signalled for me to step in before her. I thought this was a sign of the type of woman she was - one who put others before herself."

Environment Waikato chairwoman Jenni Vernon said Dame Te Ata's leadership style demanded attention. "The respect she had went way beyond iwi boundaries."

Mighty River Power chief executive Doug Heffernan said his dealings with Dame Te Ata had always been warm and friendly.

Company executives often met Tainui leaders to discuss key operational matters, Mr Heffernan said.

"She kept everyone focused on the key areas of importance, which often involved a common interest.

"There was no ambiguity at all. Her strength of will was clear and the health of the [Waikato] river was a paramount issue for her."

- Additional reporting Jon Stokes