You are here: Home / Tanya / Tanya Cumberland – Moe mai rā

Tanya Cumberland – Moe mai rā

November 12, 2026 by 1 Comment
It is with heavy hearts that we post sad news.

photo of Tanya Cumberland

On the evening of 5 November 2026, Tanya suffered a significant stroke and she died in Auckland hospital in the small hours of 7 November 2026, aged 81.  She passed peacefully and without suffering.
Tanya had recovered well from knee replacement earlier in the year, was back on her e-bike and had recently taken up waka ama training!   She was vibrant and fit and active, and nobody saw this coming.  It is deeply shocking and incredibly sad to lose her when she had, what we thought, was many years left to enjoy her life.
Tanya achieved so much in her time with us.  She was committed to te ao Māori and deeply connected to nature.  She developed and shared her huge knowledge of the environment and organic farming with many, and was a staunch advocate for the lesbian community, women’s issues, the arts, and various other causes.
Tanya lived an exceptional life that touched many people and while we celebrate all that she gave and achieved, we mourn her passing and the gap it leaves in our lives.
Charmaine and Tanya at the garden gate (from ''NZ Life and Leisure'' article)

Charmaine and Tanya at the garden gate (from ”NZ Life and Leisure” article)

Charmaine’s journey with dementia continues.

She has been in a specialised dementia care unit at Selwyn village for some time and is not entirely aware of what has happened with Tanya’s death.

She enjoys visitors, but if you see her, please do not talk about Tanya’s death – it causes her fresh loss each time it is discussed.

Join in a Celebration of Tanya’s life

11am, Monday 30 November 2026
at the Selwyn Village community hub, Pt Chevalier

It will be live streamed at this link for those who are unable to attend.  LINK FOR LIVESTREAM
The wearing of colourful clothes to reflect Tanya’s vibrant spirit are welcome.  ♥️💐

Moe mai rā, Tanya.

Link to Tanya’s Obituary notice 

There are some lovely comments there already, add your own, or add your own stories or photos here in Comments.

Contacts

Larrisa Wakim is the contact for all of this – you are welcome to call or email her lwakim@gmail.com / 022 093 0397

This website will remain live for a few months – any questions about it, or to add any posts about Tanya, contact Rosemary Neave Rosemary@womentravel.co.nz 027 289 0383

Filed Under: Tanya

Comments

  1. Web2blog says
    November 12, 2026 at 11:55 am

    I remember her first for the Work on WARAG with Judith Morgan and others – probably the first report on Institutional Racism – they were the WARAG women – google them to find out more

    Reply

Speak Your Mind

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.