Rangitīaria Dennan
New Zealand Māori tribal leader and tourist guide (1897–1970)
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Rangitīaria Dennan MBE SSStJ (née Ratema; 14 July 1897 – 13 August 1970), known as Guide Rangi, was a New Zealand tribal leader, teacher and tourist guide. Of Māori descent, she identified with the Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Tarāwhai, Te Arawa and Tūhourangi iwi.[1][2][3] A granddaughter of Tene Waitere,[4] she was born in Ngāpuna, near Rotorua, New Zealand.[5] She attended Hukarere Native School for Girls. In 1925 she gave up teaching and nursing to devote herself to guide work using her unique knowledge of lore and art.[6]
Rangitīaria Dennan (née Ratema) OBE | |
|---|---|
 Rangitīaria Dennan with baby, c. 1945 | |
| Born | 14 July 1897 Ngapuna, New Zealand |
| Died | 13 August 1970 (aged 73) |
| Other name | Guide Rangi |
| Occupations | tribal leader, teacher and tourist guide |
| Known for | Promotion of Māori culture |
Dennan was the subject of Encyclopædia Britannica's best photo of 1943. Captured by Wellington photographer James Thompson it depicted Dennan giving First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt a Māori hongi.[7]
Dennan's husband died in 1943.[8] In January 1954 Dennan escorted Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, around geothermal attractions and the model village at Whakarewarewa, Rotorua.[9][10] Two months later she was in Australia as part of a two-week visit promoting Tourism in New Zealand, sponsored by the Central Travel Bureau.[11]
In the 1957 New Year Honours she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to the tourist movement.[12] In 1949 she was appointed a Serving Sister of the Order of St John for her services to St John.[13]