Miriama Rauhihi Ness (second from right) with other Polynesian Panther sisters Photo: facebook Miriama Rauhihi Ness was a member of the Polynesian Panthers and Ngā Tamatoa movements, fighting for both Māori and Pasifika rights in New Zealand. Will 'Ilolahia, a founding member of the Polynesian Panthers, said Rauhihi Ness was always on the frontlines of indigenous activism. "She was our Minister of Culture and our first full-time community worker when we existed back in the 70s. "Her fierce, strong, no-muck-around attitude has done a lot of things that a lot of people don't really acknowledge." Rauhihi Ness, Ngāti Whakatere / Ngāti Taki Hiki, helped lodge the Māori Language Petition of 1972, led the 1975 Land March and was part of the Patu Squad that protested the 1985 Springbok tour.