Patricia Tauroa

Patricia Tauroa

Patricia Tauroa ONZM (nee Wilson) was born at home in Otangaroa. She attended Otangaroa Native School, Kaeo Primary and Kaeo Dsitrict High School. Patricia studied part time at Auckland University and also undertook extra mural study through Massey University. Her studies enabled her to commence teaching Māori language at both Wesley College and Tuakau College. She was also active in both schools in the auxiliary roles of Librarian and Tuck Shop Manager.

In later years Patricia would return to Wesley to serve on the Wesley College Trust Board and Wesley College Board of Governors. She has been an elected Councilor on Auckland City Council and during that time served on the Arts Gallery Board, Auckland Grammar Schools Board, Auckland Institute of Technology Council as well as the Planning and the Community Standing Committees.

Her government appointment to the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO saw her representing New Zealand at conferences and seminars in Paris, Bangkok and Chiang mai. She was also a government appointed member of the NZ Suffrage Trust. After the family’s relocation to Whangaroa she served a term on the Whangaroa Community Board, and was elected as Chairperson of the Whangaroa Health Services Trust. Her involvement with the Far North Safer Communities Council also saw her appointed as Chair of that Council.

When Hiwi retired as Runanga Chairman, she took up the challenge as Chairperson for Te Runanga O Whaingaroa. Over the years she has served on several marae and church committees and in 1999 she was awarded the companion of New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for services to the community. She has authored two publications, the most popular being The Collins Māori Phrase Book and Dictionary, and co-authored Te Marae with husband Hiwi.

Patricia continues to be a committed supporter of Chin-Māo since her first visit to China with the 1984 Māori Friendship Delegation, sharing Hiwi's vision of the huge potential for Māori in developing close relationships with the Chinese people. She continues to organise and host delegation visits to and from China and has always actively encouraged the whanau to become involved with Chin-Māo. As well as being Chairperson of the China-Māori Friendship Charitable Trust, Patricia is currently involved with preparation of land claims before the Waitangi Tribunal. Patricia is mother to six children and loves being surrounded by her grandchildren and great grand-children.