On the passing of Dame Tariana Turia, we reflect on the privilege of having her visit Christchurch Community House Te Whakaruruhau ki Otautahi, in her role as Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, in 2010.
'Whakaruruhau' represents shelter, umbrella, but also a launching pad and the late Dame Tariana spoke of the concept of Te Whakaruruhau as being deeply rooted in Te Ao Māori, “we think of it as the image of the tallest trees forming the upper canopy within our great forests,” quoting Professor Ranginui Walker “the sheltering nurturing windbreak of the great forest of Tane Mahuta”.
