Tā Sheralyn Kōrero
Sheralyn's Story
Kaua e mate wheke.
Me mate ururoa.
Do not die like the octopus (that gives up easily), die like the shark (that keeps on fighting). Keep fighting your fight.
A Life of Service and Advocacy
Sheralyn Kiri Weepers (née Tipene) was a woman of immense strength,
compassion, and determination. She was a loving wife, mother, teacher, and
advocate for Māori education. Sheralyn believed in the power of community, cultural identity, and self-determination, dedicating her life to uplifting those around her. She worked tirelessly in our Dunedin community.
A Personal Battle with
Health Inequity
In 2012, Sheralyn was diagnosed with Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD), a rare and life-threatening heart condition. She underwent stent surgery and made a remarkable recovery, continuing to live a full and purposeful life. However, her journey took a devastating turn in 2022 when she suffered another SCAD and was admitted to Dunedin Hospital. Due to systemic barriers in New Zealand’s public health system, Sheralyn faced delays and inadequate follow-up care. She was assigned a low-priority status and was denied timely surgical intervention. Despite her worsening condition, the system failed to provide the urgent and life-saving treatment she needed.
Fighting for Her Life
Unwilling to accept these barriers, Sheralyn exercised her mana motuhake—her right to self-determination—and sought alternative care. In April 2023, she traveled to Australia in pursuit of treatment at Royal Adelaide Hospital, then to be transferred to St Vincent's Hospital. Tragically, before the surgery could take place, she passed away suddenly on May 15, 2023.
Her official cause of death was determined as complications of valvular heart disease and heart failure on a background of previous coronary artery dissection. However, her family and community know that her passing was not just due to illness—it was a direct result of systemic inequities in the New Zealand healthcare system.
Her Legacy Lives On
Sheralyn often said “Āwhinatia”—a call to help, support, and uplift others. She
refused to be a silent victim of an unjust system and instead used her voice to
advocate for change. Her journey highlighted the urgent need for Māori-led
healthcare solutions that honour cultural values, eliminate barriers, and empower
whānau to take charge of their well-being.
Sheralyn’s unwavering spirit lives on through the Āwhinatia Charitable Trust,
established in her name. The Trust is dedicated to carrying forward her mission: to
challenge systemic inequities, provide accessible cardiovascular health services,
and advocate for indigenous health rights.
Her story is not just one of loss—it is a call to action.
Through education, empowerment, and advocacy,
we will work to ensure that no more lives are lost to preventable healthcare failures.
Sheralyn’s fight continues, and her legacy will
drive meaningful change for generations to come.