Kiri Te Kanawa Retirement Village passes the test
Posted on 3 July 2012
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa recently captivated her Gisborne hometown crowd as she sang some of her favourite songs when she attended the official opening of the Kiri Te Kanawa Retirement Village on a Foundation related visit.
Speaking to the residents and invited guests before her performance, Dame Kiri said she wanted to first take them back to her ordinary background when she was raised in this “wonderful town” until the age of 12.
“I was adopted by two amazing people, one Maori and one white.” She was proud to see the huge developments in the Maori people and culture, as she remembered a language that was not allowed to be spoken “ever . . . ever” while she was growing up.“ They suffered but how wonderful it is to see Maori developing.”
Dame Kiri said she had had roses, bridges, trains, parrots and dogs named after her and having a retirement village in her name was “supreme”.
“I have a building named after me and I am actually eligible to check in. I congratulate you on an amazing building and I thank you so much for inviting me. I’m really, really thrilled.”
After her performance, Dame Kiri mingled with the residents and invited guests.
Credit Gisborne Herald. Dame Kiri pictured with Jean Milton (left) and Rose Doleman (right).