Poroporoaki: Missy Teka

“My darling Missy, you are always on my mind Wherever you may go, you take a part of me” .

The precious love lyrics of 'E Ipo' will be resonating in many Maori homes around Aotearoa, said Dr Pita Sharples today at hearing of the death of Missy Teka.

“That special love that Prince Tui Teka had for Missy was obvious for all to see” said Dr Sharples.

“We remember ‘I need your love’, ‘Island in the Stream’ and of course the classic 'E Ipo' which Ngoi Pewhairangi wrote originally for the boy from Ruatahuna to be able to court the girl from Ruatorea”.

“It was a love that was wide enough for us all to be included” said Dr Sharples.

“The television show in which Tui and Missy sang to their mothers in the audience (the legendary, ‘Oh Mum’) is a special part of our history”.

“Missy was honoured last year as a Maori Music Icon” said Dr Sharples. “It is a tribute to her enormous contribution to Maori music and the nation, that she was recognised in these inaugural waiata Maori awards”.

“We express our great sympathies to Ngati Porou, to her whanau, and to all who loved our darling Missy” said Dr Sharples.