Dame Te Atairangikaahu, the Maori Queen and longest-serving head of the Kingitanga movement, died today. She was aged 75. In May, Dame Te Ata celebrated the 40th anniversary of her coronation as leader of the Kingitanga. On Waitangi Day 1971, Dame Te Atairangikaahu, accompanied by her husband, daughter Heeni and about 100 Waikato supporters, visited Palmerston North and became the first New Zealand citizen to be given the “Freedom of the City”. It was a huge event for Palmerston North (and possibly the only time a hangi has been laid down in The Square). I still recall standing by the clocktower watching the ceremony, which was held at the now-demolished soundshell. Mayor Black did the honours. That event passed into history a long time ago and sadly, now, Dame Te Atairangikaahu has too. My sympathy goes out to her family and followers.