Taini Morrison

She was well noted for her love and passion for the 'old ways'. A leader and one of the founding members of the award-winning[1] Māori performing group, Te Matarae-i-o-Rehu,[2] Morrison played a crucial part in the group's award-winning performance at the 2002 Te Matatini Festival. As well as performing on national and international stages, she also taught at Rotorua Primary School.

Taini Morrison has had a crucial influence on modern day Māori Performance. She has paved the way for many of New Zealand's top female performing arts members. She has been referred to by fellow group leader, Wetini Mitai-Ngatai, for her passion for kapa haka and love of the old ways. He also describes her by adding, "Mana and presence just oozed out of her. She was with the group almost since its inception. She was a great leader with a strong personality, I will miss her so much."[3]

Besides performing, she also taught at Rotorua Primary School for six years. She was renowned for helping out the local people. Her work with the school went as far as working and helping the children enhance their reading and oral abilities.[3] She made it her mission to make sure that every child had an opportunity to do well in the world. She would spend hours at school and at home coming up with more and more ways for her to be able to help these children. Her work in the local Rotorua area has been evident as the School Principal, Mr John Naera goes on to say:

"In the past few years, she had taken over the Ngati Whakaue Enrichment Unit working with children to enhance their reading and oral learning,"

"She had a passion for ensuring our Maori children got every opportunity to succeed. That passion for our youth will be sorely missed."

She was a well recognised mentor to the young children at the school. She treated everyone like whānau no matter what the situation with the parents was. She was always welcoming to new people.