Diane Mary Ratahi was born in Ōpunake and was educated at Ōpunake Convent School and High School. She has had a career in education and is currently the executive chair of the Māori authority for the Taranaki iwi. Diane is also involved in the debate concerning the contractual agreement between the Crown and Māori on Māori fishing rights with specific reference to Taranaki. Diane has worked as Research Tutor at Te Matauranga Trust in New Plymouth.
Biographical sources
- Ratahi, Diane. "Kia Mataara." Te Ao Mārama: Regaining Aotearoa: Māori Writers Speak Out. Comp. and ed. Witi Ihimaera. Contributing ed. Haare Williams, Irihapeti Ramsden and D. S. Long. Vol. 2: He Whakaatanga O Te Ao: The Reality. Auckland, N.Z.: Reed, 1993. 115.
- "Kia Mataara." Puna Wairere: Essays by Māori. Wellington, N.Z.: New Zealand Planning Council/Te Kaunihera Whakakaupapa mo Aotearoa, 1990.
Non-fiction
- "Kia Mataara." Puna Wairere: Essays by Māori. Wellington, N.Z.: New Zealand Planning Council/Te Kaunihera Whakakaupapa mo Aotearoa, 1990. 35-38. Rpt. in Te Ao Mārama: Regaining Aotearoa: Māori Writers Speak Out. Comp. and ed. Witi Ihimaera. Contributing ed. Haare Williams, Irihapeti Ramsden and D. S. Long. Vol. 2: He Whakaatanga O Te Ao: The Reality. Auckland, N.Z.: Reed, 1993. 114-117.
- Ratahi describes the history of her tribe, Taranaki, and discusses the tribe’s ongoing debate with government authorities over Taranaki tribal taonga.