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Te Atatu matriarch June Mariu has reached the age of 80.
Her birthday was celebrated at Rutherford College.
Dignitaries from all over the country
were there to celebrate her life.
A welcoming fit for the Queen of Te Atatu.
She was a chair of Te Whanau o Waipareira
and president of the Maori Women's Welfare League.
They were there for her today.
She worked here at the school and established the marae here.
Maori Women's Welfare League — she was a past President.
She's done lots, and we're all here to honour her.
She was the captain of the Silver Ferns in 1960.
She helped launch Maori Netball.
This team is going because they are in the secondary schools section.
She's still working at Hoani Waititi Marae in Glen Eden.
She's a big advocate for the youth court there.
She's lived in Te Atatu for years now,
but she's from Te Whanau a Apanui, of the famous Waititi family.
Hoani Waititi was her uncle.
So tomorrow, the family plans to celebrate her birthday
at Kauaetangohia Marae in Whangaparaoa.
Anzac Pikia, Te Karere.