The whānau of Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi, who spearheaded the Kōhanga Reo movement and helped thousands of tamariki grow up immersed in te reo Māori, have said she is nearing the end of her life.
Karanama Ruru is a Te Ao Māori and Youth Affairs Reporter at Stuff. She covers a diverse range of topics, including regional interest, world news, government and politics, as well as issues related to animals and real estate, reflecting her commitment to both local and global narratives. Karanama's work has been featured in prominent publications such as Stuff, The Press, The Post, Waikato Times, and Ensemble Magazine (NZ).