Maureen Waaka

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Maureen Te Rangi Rere I Waho Waaka, born Maureen Kingi, was born on 5 October 1942 in Ohinemutu, Rotorua. She was of Māori descent from Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Ngāti Whakaue, and her father worked as an interpreter for the Māori Affairs Department. In 1962 she was crowned Miss New Zealand, the second Māori woman to win the title, and later represented New Zealand at Miss International and Miss World, becoming the first Māori woman to compete in Miss World. She trained as a radiographer at Auckland Hospital and, in 1963, married John Waaka; they had five children. Maureen and her husband led the Rotorua International Māori Entertainers group for many years.

She later pursued public service. She was elected to the Rotorua District Council in 1989 for one term and was re-elected in 1998, serving until her death in 2013. She also served on the Lakes District Health Board for nine years and chaired the Māori Tourism Council. An anti-gambling advocate, she helped block a Rotorua casino in 2002. She stood as a Labour list candidate in the 2002 general election but was not elected. Her honors include the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal and, in 2001, being named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to tourism and the community. She became a Justice of the Peace in 2005.

Maureen Waaka suffered a stroke on 16 June 2013 and died on 1 July 2013 in Rotorua at age 70. Her funeral was held at Te Papaiouru Marae in Ohinemutu.