The New Zealand Nurses Organisation is mourning the passing of its kuia Vera Morgan.
The organisation said Vera Morgan became part of the NZNO whānau 17 years ago on the invitation of the then Te Rūnanga chair Sharon Morunga, and had worked alongside Rev Leo Te Kira to develop NZNO’s bicultural philosophy – “Me haeretahi tātou mō te hauora me te oranga o ngā iwi katoa o Aotearoa: let us journey together for the health and wellbeing of the people of Aotearoa.”
Kerri Nuku, NZNO’s kaikwhakahaere, said NZNO joined with other groups in paying their respects to this “dynamic, staunch, well-known and inspiring kuia”.
“We were honoured to have her with us for 17 years,” Nuku said. “Mai ra e te Rangatira o Waima, haere atu ra ki Hawaiki nui, Hawaiki roa, Hawaiki pamamao.
“We send our condolences to her remaining children and whānau and thank them for sharing their beloved mother with the whole Wellington community, and in particular the New Zealand nurses.
“Aunty Vera believed in the strength of community in action and always reminded us to walk our talk at all times,” she said.
‘Aunty Vera’ came to Wellington from the Hokianga at age 18 years where she joined the Ngāti Pōneke Young Māori Club. In 1978 she received a Queen’s Service Medal and in 1998 she became a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. She has held leadership roles with the Māori Women’s Welfare League and was a formative leader of the annual NZNO Matariki celebrations. In 2006 she was awarded the NZNO Te Rūnanga Akenei Hei Memorial Award that was established to mark 100 years of nursing registration in New Zealand.
E kore au e ngaro; he kākano i ruia mai i Rangiātea.
Aroha mai, aroha atu
Kia mau koe ki ngā kupu o ou tupuna.
