Kiritokia e-te Tomairangi Paki (1953 – 3 April 2017) was a prominent Māori kuia, and the daughter of Queen Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu. She was the elder sister of King Tūheitia.
Paki was a prominent exponent of kapa haka, and tutored the Taniwharau kapa haka to national victory in 1981."Kīngitanga in mourning over the loss of Tomairangi Paki", Television New Zealand, 3 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017. She received a life membership award from Tainui Cultural Trust for her work within kapa haka in 2016.Black, T. "Tomairangi Paki receives Life Member award", Māori Television, 1 May 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
Paki won a scholarship to learn world dances and choose to study Hawaiian Hula. She spent several years in Hawaii and became a Kumu Hula and returned to New Zealand establishing her own hālau (hula school) called Nā Keiki O Ka ʻĀina.
She was a patron for He Kura Te Tangata, a festival which celebrates kaumatua and kapa haka.
Paki died peacefully in her sleep on 3 April 2017. Her tangi was held at Waahi Pa in Huntly where her body lay in state before being taken for burial at the royal cemetery at Mount Taupiri.Clarke, M. "Memories of Taniwharau resonates at Tomairangi Paki’s tangi", Māori Television, 1 May 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
References
External links News article and video of Paki's tangi