Dame Rangimārie Naida Glavish is a distinguished Māori leader and advocates whose lifelong contributions to Te Reo Māori, tikanga, and health equity have left an indelible mark on Aotearoa.
Known to many as "The Kia Ora Lady," Dame Naida is celebrated for her courageous stand for Te Reo Māori during the 1984 "kia ora" incident, which became a catalyst for normalizing Māori greetings and advancing the revitalization of Te Reo in public life.
Born in 1946, Dame Naida is of Ngāti Whātua descent, with Croatian whakapapa through her paternal lineage. Raised near Kaipara Harbour by her Māori-speaking grandmother, Ngapeka Teririkore Nahi, she grew up immersed in Te Reo Māori and tikanga. Despite facing challenges as a child placed in state care, her upbringing instilled in her a deep commitment to justice, identity, and advocacy.
As a young mother of six, Dame Naida returned to the workforce in 1975 as a telephone operator for the New Zealand Post Office. This role would later propel her into the national spotlight during the "kia ora" incident, a pivotal moment in her journey as a champion for Māori language and culture.
In 1984, Dame Naida defied instructions to stop greeting callers with "kia ora," a casual Māori phrase. Her stand sparked nationwide debate, garnering overwhelming public support and igniting broader acceptance of Te Reo Māori in everyday conversation. Prime Minister Robert Muldoon overturned the prohibition, and three years later, Māori became the official language of Aotearoa. Dame Naida credits her grandmother’s teachings for her unwavering resolve, stating, "My reo is who I am—it’s in my blood, my bones, and my genealogy."
Dame Naida transitioned into health advocacy in 1990, joining the Auckland District Health Board as a cultural advisor. She pioneered culturally safe practices, including the establishment of whānau rooms and overnight accommodation for families traveling to hospitals. Her work has profoundly influenced tikanga-based care, which she asserts is key to improving Māori health outcomes.
Currently, Dame Naida serves as Chief Advisor Tikanga Māori for Te Whatu Ora Waitematā and Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai Auckland. She has led the development and implementation of bicultural policies and best practice guidelines, ensuring that tikanga Māori is embedded across healthcare systems to benefit all patients.
Dame Naida has held numerous governance roles, including nearly three decades on the board of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua, where she was instrumental in Treaty Settlement negotiations and iwi development. As President of the Māori Party (2013–2016), she advocated for policies centered on equity, Māori self-determination, and whānau wellbeing.
Dame Naida’s contributions have been widely acknowledged, including:
Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM): Appointed in 2011 for services to Māori and the community.
Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (2018): For services to Māori and the community.
Blake Medal (2023): Celebrating her transformative leadership and commitment to sustainability.
Oranga Angitu – Lifetime Achievement Award (2024): From the Māori Language Commission, honouring her advocacy for Te Reo Māori.
Having lost one daughter in a tragic accident, Dame Naida is a mother of five living children, grandmother to 19, and great-grandmother to 42. Her life’s work has been driven by a desire to inspire mokopuna and future generations to embrace their identity and thrive. She remains an active voice in iwi, health, and language initiatives, with a dream of seeing a bilingual Aotearoa where Te Reo Māori flourishes.
Dame Naida’s leadership embodies the whakataukī: “Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini – My strength is not that of an individual, but that of the collective.”
Her legacy as a fearless advocate, cultural guardian, and visionary leader will continue to inspire generations to come.
Links:
Australia New Zealand School of Government ANZSOG profile Dame Rangimarie Naida Glavish
Te Tai Treaty Settlement Stories: Dame Naida Glavish The ‘kia ora lady’.
Stuff Articale: It’s my right’: Dame Naida Glavish on te reo in the workplace, 15 March 2024
Spinoff Article: The Kia Ora Lady: Dame Rangimārie Naida Glavish in her own words, 7 August 2019
Moe Milne, Ngāti Hine, Consultant
Updated 16 December 2024
