Hundreds of people gathered today to farewell a Rotorua woman who led a cervical cancer campaign on social media.
Hundreds of people gathered today to farewell Talei Morrison, 42, who is recognised for leading a national campaign in her fight against cervical cancer. Photo: RNZ/John Boynton
Talei Morrison's cervical cancer social media campaign "smear your mea" went viral earlier this year - as she encouraged women to have regular smear test for cervical cancer.
One bad experience during a smear test led her to not go back for a test for a decade, which meant her cancer was diagnosed too late.
She was surrounded by whānau, friends and loved ones at her tangi as they remembered how much the 42-year-old had achieved in her life.
Her mum, Sandy Morrison, said Talei was someone who always brought people together.
"She cared for all her cousins and she was a great tuākana - and she cared for my brothers and sisters promising she would look after all of us in our old age."
She described her daughter's fight against cervical cancer, which became a national campaign, as selfless and valiant.
"In the midst of the most difficult experience of her life she decided to start a national campaign, apply for jobs and do a Ted-X talk."
Talei Morrison who lost a fight to cervical cancer was surrounded by whānau, friends and loved ones at her tangi. Photo: RNZ/John Boynton
Talei's only daughter, Hana Morisson, is due to give birth in a few weeks and said her mum was looking forward to the birth of her first mokopuna.
In a tribute to her mum, she read out the poem Phenomenal Woman by the American civil rights activist poet Maya Angelou.
"Because I'm a woman phenomenally, phenomenal woman that's me - that's what my mum taught me."
Former Māori Party leader Te Ururoa Flavell's children grew up alongside Talei in Rotorua.
One of his favourite memories he shared of Talei was when they both were going to take a Māori weaponry exam.
It was a one-hour test which pushed them physically and mentally - but it was Talei's spirit of determination to finish the test that stood out.
"It's just a wonderful memory that inspiration that she brought not only to me but to all of her children but her whole family," Mr Flavell said.
This determination carried through to her campaign and raised important questions around health care for Māori women, he said.
"Maybe the health system's got to be better at addressing Māori women in their world and promote far more awareness about cervical cancer and cancer across the board."
Next month a fundraising concert "To Talei with Love", which is already sold out, will take place to fundraise for the Smear Your Mea campaign to encourage women to get tested regularly.