Our daughter, Tanya Filia recently graduated from Massey University with a Post Graduate Diploma in Māori Education with distinction. Tanya also has a Diploma in primary teaching and a Bachelor of Education, and was until recently, the principal of Kohukohu Primary School North Hokianga. Her Kāi Tahu whakapapa on her father’s side is to Takaroa Makutu (Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri) and Peti Huntly. Takaroa Makutu was the son of Te Karue who was prominent in defending land rights at Tua Marina (Wairau Incident).

Tanya is heavily involved in her local marae, hapū and rūnanga. As her parents, we feel her achievement is of extra special significance because during her studies she was (and is still) recovering from a grade 4 brain tumour operation. Tanya has had to travel regularly from her home in Ōmāpere, Hokianga for aggressive chemotherapy and radiation treatment at Auckland Hospital. Although Tanya lives with her whānau in Te Tai Tokerau she is fiercely proud of her whakapapa and her Kāi Tahutanga. Nā Wayne and Alecia Robinson.

From left: Tanya’s husband John Filia, Tanya Filia and daughters Carinza (right) and Willow (in front).

From left: Tanya’s husband John Filia, Tanya Filia and daughters Carinza (right) and Willow (in front).