I was very sad to hear of the passing of Saana Murray at the
weekend. Saana was the only one of the original Wai 262 claimants that was
still alive when the report was released in July and, before any further
discussion of the report, it is important to acknowledge her. Without the foresight shown by her and her
fellow claimants all those years ago and the determination they demonstrated in
pursuing the issues addressed in the Wai 262 inquiry we might not yet have come
to directly consider, in such a comprehensive way, the Crown’s failure to
recognise and respect mātauranga Māori across the whole of government. Her role
in the Wai 262 inquiry was, of course, just one example of her passion and her
commitment to Māori rights and the wellbeing of her people. She was laid to rest today at Kapowairua.
