Tepaeru Tereora facts for kids

Mere Tepaeru Tereora QSM (born in 1934) is an amazing artist and teacher from the Cook Islands. She is famous for her beautiful Tivaevae artwork. This special art is even shown in the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Mere also helped bring back the Cook Islands Māori language. She started special schools called "language nests" for it in New Zealand. She was the sister of the writer Kauraka Kauraka.

Mere's Life Story

Early Life and Teaching

Mere Tereora was born on the island of Manihiki. In 1944, she moved to Rarotonga for school. There, she joined the Girl Guides.

In 1954, Mere traveled to New Zealand to train as a teacher. After her training, she returned to the Cook Islands. She taught at several schools, including Avarua School, Manihiki, Atiu, Nikao School, and Tereora College.

In 1964, she became an officer for women's interests. This job meant she traveled all over the Cook Islands. She taught a home education program, which included how to make tivaevae.

Helping the Cook Islands Language

In 1969, Mere moved to Wellington, New Zealand. She became very active in the Māori Women's Welfare League. This group helps Māori women and their families.

In 1983, she helped create Kōhanga Reo. These are special "language nests" that help keep the Māori language alive. Mere then started her own language nest for Cook Islands Māori in Wellington. It was called Te Punanga o te reo Kuki Airani. She even started the center in her own garage!

In 1991, she became the first president of the national group for these nests. It was called Te Punanga o te reo Kuki Airani o Aotearoa. Later, she helped create school lessons for Cook Islands Māori in New Zealand. She also wrote children's stories in the language and in Manihikian.

Community Work

In 1976, Mere Tereora helped start P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A. This group supports Pacific Island women in New Zealand. She was the president of P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A from 1993 to 1997.

She also helped start Aotearoa Moana Nui A Kiwa Weavers. This group later became Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa. It is a national group for Māori and Pacific Island weavers.

Awards and Recognition

In 1993, Mere Tereora received a special award. It was the Queen's Service Medal for her great public services. This award is given to people who have helped their community a lot.

In October 2019, Mere was honored again. She was added to the hall of fame at the first Vaine Rangatira awards. These awards celebrate important Cook Islands women.