Airini Nga Roimata Grennell

Airini Ngā Roimata Grennell (11 February 1910 – 8 December 1988) was a New Zealand singer, pianist, and broadcaster.

Early life Grennell was born in Waitangi, Chatham Islands, New Zealand, on 11 February 1910, the eldest of five children. Her father, William Henry Grennell, worked as a farmer and fisherman at Matarakau, Chatham Islands, and was of Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Tama, Irish and American descent. Grennell's mother, Mary Hazel Teripa Tikao, daughter of Hōne Taare Tīkao and Martha Hana Toku Horomona, was of Ngāi Tahu descent.

Education Grennell attended Sacred Heart Girls' College, Christchurch, where she developed an appreciation for music. Around the age of 18, Grennell travelled to England to study music professionally, and gained diplomas of licentiateship for musicianship (LTCL and LRSM) in teaching the piano and singing.

Career

Methodist Home Mission Party (Waiata Māori Choir) In 1935, Airini and her sister Hinemoa joined the Methodist Home Mission Party (also known as the Waiata Māori Choir), which was established in 1924 by Reverend Arthur John Seamer. The choir toured Australia in December 1935, and England in 1937. The choir was presented to King George VI following his coronation, before disbanding in 1938. Grennell was the commentator for five royal tours. She continued her broadcasting career until her retirement in 1966.

Retirement and death Grennell became a respected leader of Horomaka Kāi Tahu and Taranaki–Wharekauri Ngāti Mutunga. Grennell's husband and daughter predeceased her, and after her death on 8 December 1988, Grennell's ashes were interred with theirs at the family burial ground at Te Rāpaki-o-Te Rakiwhakaputa.