Touched many lives: Whānau celebrate Midge’s life

by James Pocock 

Jacqueline Nankivell has asked friends and whānau to carry on her mum’s legacy by striving to work hard, care for others and smile more. 

Jacqueline, 17, and brother Rewi jnr, 15, were injured in a crash that tragically took mother Midge Te Kani’s life last week. 

Emergency services were called to the single-vehicle crash on Matawai Rd (SH2) at Otoko on the afternoon of September 4. 

Te Kani died a short time after being taken to Gisborne Hospital. 

Te Kani’s tangi began at Te Poho o Rawiri Marae, where the speakers shared her connections throughout Tairāwhiti, before moving to Mangatū Marae where she was raised and to which she had dedicated much of her life. 

“It was a deeply emotional experience. You could feel the mamae from everyone present,” Jacqueline said in a statement on behalf of her whānau. 

“It was a sad yet meaningful event, honouring mum and celebrating her life. There were many people there from all over; people who had been touched by mum’s life in some way.” 

Jacqueline said her mother was a community leader who helped people across the Tairāwhiti to own their own homes and with the kaupapa Toitu Tairāwhiti. 

“Mum will be remembered for her work ethic, her ability to bring people together, creating and maintaining connections between whānau and iwi. She was known for her loving nature, always caring for anyone and everyone around her. 

“Amongst many other things, Mum also helped many small businesses in Te Tairāwhiti, making sure they have everything they need to be successful. Mum also was heavily involved with the different kura her tamariki attended such as TKKM O Whatatutu, TKKM O Nga Uri a Maui and Campion College.” 

The whānau said Jacqueline’s recovery was progressing well, while Rewi jnr was recovering steadily in the ICU with friends and whānau present. 

“Her eye is healing, and she will be going to Middlemore Hospital in a couple of weeks for a check-up and update on her progress. 

“[Rewi] can feel sensations in his legs, move his arms and neck, and is slowly beginning to eat soft foods like yoghurt and mashed potatoes. He will remain in Auckland for some months recovering. We will visit him as often as we can.” 

A Givealittle page set up by Karyn Sadler, deputy principal of the children’s school Campion College, to support the whānau with expenses had raised $17,000 as of Friday afternoon. 

“I would really like to thank everybody who has given to this cause, it is a reflection of how many lives Midge has touched,” Sadler said. 

The college community had been deeply impacted by the accident and the loss of Te Kani, she said. 

“We are doing what we can to support the whānau, as well as doing what we can to support their friends at school as well as staff members.” 

Rewi and Jacqueline joined the school in 2022 and quickly become key members of the community. 

“They’re heavily involved in sports, kapa haka and cultural and speech activities,” Sadler said. 

“[Jacqueline] is our head girl, she is our student rep on the board and Rewi snr, their dad, is on our board of trustees at the school. They are very outgoing kids, very humble but very popular amongst the student body and with staff as well.” 

Jacqueline said the whānau wanted to say thank you to everyone who had given support. 

“The support has been overwhelming and has made our journey forward without our mum much easier. We do not know what we would do without the support of everyone,” she wrote on behalf of her whānau. 

“Let’s carry on mum’s legacy by striving to work hard, care for others, and smile more since mum’s smile was so infectious.” 

Inquiries into the crash were ongoing, police said on Wednesday. 

● Those who wish to donate to the Givealittle for the whānau can do so at: givealittle.co.nz/cause/whanau-of-midge-te-kani