The former president of the Māori Women's Welfare League and Kapa Haka advocate, Dame Aroha Reriti-Crofts, will be laid to rest today at her urupa near Kaiapoi.
She died on Friday, aged 83, at a Christchurch hospital surrounded by her whanau.
Dame Aroha was a champion for wāhine Māori, and once held a world endurance record for performing with poi.
Ashleigh McCaull reports.
