LAVA members were saddened to hear that Anaria Tangohau passed away last week.

Anaria was well-known to many in the Wellington lesbian community. LAVA members recall her as a strong, reassuring presence, someone who would sit quietly before saying something pretty astute.

She was a scholar, a writer and a great advocate for women, especially wāhine Māori and mothers. She was a member of the Womens Studies Association of New Zealand National Committee and the Executive Committee of National Oral History Association of New Zealand Te Kete Kōrero-a-Waha o Te Motu.

Marian Evans, posting on the Spiral Collectives Facebook spoke for all "who loved her during her rich, feisty, courageous, generous & creative life". We are saddened that she has gone.

Moe mai rā Anaria.