Keri Kaa facts for kids

Keri Kaa in 2013

Keri Kaa (born in 1942, died on August 26, 2020) was an important New Zealand writer and teacher. She also worked hard to support the Māori language. Keri Kaa was from the Ngāti Porou and Ngāti Kahungunu Māori tribes.

Early Life and Education

Keri Kaa was born in 1942 in a place called Rangitukia on New Zealand's East Cape. Her father, Tipi Whenua Kaa, was a church leader. Her mother, Hohipene Kaa, was from Wairoa. Keri was one of 12 children! Her siblings included her brother Hone Kaa, who was also a church leader, and her brother Wi Kuki Kaa, a famous actor. Her sister Arapera Blank was a writer and poet.

Keri went to Queen Victoria School for Māori Girls. She also attended Auckland Girls' Grammar. After high school, she spent a year in America on a special scholarship. Then, she went to Ardmore Teachers' College. There, she made history by becoming the first woman to be the College President. She finished her teaching studies in 1964. Later, in 2013, she earned a Master of Arts degree.

A Career in Teaching and Beyond

Keri Kaa taught at many schools. She worked in primary schools in Rangitukia, Wellington, and Hawke's Bay. She also taught at high schools in the Hutt Valley. For 15 years, she was a lecturer at Wellington Teachers College. A lecturer is like a teacher for university students. She helped create and run the college's marae, called Te Ako Pai. A marae is a special meeting place for Māori people.

While in Wellington, Keri was part of several groups. She worked with the Haeata Women's Collective, a group of Māori women artists. She also helped with the Herstory diary project and the Waiata Koa collective.

Later, Keri returned to Rangitukia. She continued to teach and study at the Te Wananga o Raukawa campus in Hicks Bay.

Supporting Māori Culture and Language

Besides teaching, Keri Kaa was very involved in Māori theatre, movies, and television. Her work was celebrated in 2010. She was featured in a TV show called 'E Tu Kahikitea' on Māori Television. This show highlighted Māori leaders. She also received two special awards from Women in Film and Television (WIFT) New Zealand.

Keri Kaa was a strong supporter of the Māori language, known as te reo Māori. She wrote a children's book called Taka Ki Ro Wai. This book was written in the Waiapu dialect of Māori. It won the first-ever Māori language award at the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. The book was also recognized for its creative design. It was even chosen by the International Youth Library in Germany. They picked it for its important message and beautiful style.

Keri Kaa passed away on August 26, 2020, at the age of 78.

Awards and Special Recognition

Keri Kaa received many awards for her important work:

• 2016: Ngā Tohu ā Tā Kingi Ihaka award from Creative New Zealand. This award celebrates a lifetime of service to Māori arts.
• 2014: Inaugural Māori Language Award for her book Taka Ki Ro Wai. This was part of the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.
• 2013: Mana Wahine Award from Women in Film & Television (WIFT) New Zealand.
• 2012: She was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. This was for her services to Māori people and the arts.
• 2010: WIFT Te Whaea Whakaata Taonga Award.
• 2000: She became a Companion of the Queen's Service Order. This was for her great community service.