Waana Morrell Davis (QSM)

Waana Morrell Davis (QSM) was born and raised in Whakatāne, Bay of Plenty, in 1938 and descends from Ngāti Awa, Tūhoe and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa iwi. She went to Pāroa Native School, before attending Whakatāne High School. During this time, she fostered a passion for teaching and soon after completing high school, moved to Auckland to attend Ardmore Teachers Training College. She is remembered by her peers as an exceptional athlete and also excelled in her studies. After graduating from Teachers Training College Davis returned to Whakatāne to start teaching at her former high school.

Eventually, Waana and her husband Frank Davis moved to Palmerston North, where Mr Davis was Head of the Art Department at Palmerston North Teachers College. Here, Davis was introduced to Piri Sciascia and Cliff Whiting. She would later become a close confidant of Sciascia and Whiting, alongside Hirini Moko-Mead in driving the artist’s involvement in the Te Māori Exhibition.

In 1983 Davis was an original founding member of the steering committee for Aotearoa Moana Nui a Kiwa Weavers, which would be succeeded by Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa, the National Māori Weavers Committee. The following year Davis was appointed to the committee of Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa, where her love and affection for traditional Māori weaving was put to effective use. Davis supported various kaupapa raranga and initiated many herself, including the Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa annual National Weaver’s Hui and supported events for Te Kāhui Whiritoi, the National Committee for Master Weaver’s. She took raranga worldwide and sprung at every opportunity to promote it, so that the world could share the profound appreciation Māori have for this tāonga tuku iho. Davis was one among many outstanding leaders, including Emily Schuster, Merimeri Penfold, Te Aue Davis, Colleen Urlich, Dame Georgina Kirby, and Cath Brown. All of whom were staunchly focused on the well-being and value of Māori art and Māori people. She, too, became an exceptional leader of the Māori people, who upheld the legacy of these māreikura.

In 1984 Davis became the first female Māori City Councillor for Palmerston North and held her position till 1998. Together with Mina McKenzie, who at the time was President of the New Zealand Committee of the International Council of Museums, they promoted the interests of Rangitāne Iwi and women leadership in council, museums, and education. She was pivotal in developing the city’s cultural and educational landscape, ensuring a brighter future for the community. Her strong belief in Māoritanga, combined with gratitude for all, heightened her leadership, making her a major influence in the community.

In the 1990s, Mr and Mrs Davis relocated their whānau to Te Whanga-nui-ā-Tara, where she worked in several Government Departments, local high schools and volunteered in many initiatives to support Māori, such as advocating for Māori arts and artists. Her experience and knowledge were vital in developing the New Zealand Art Council’s first Māori art strategy, taking Te Ao Māori beyond the shores of Aotearoa.