Moe mai ra ehoa I knew of Nola for a long time as our Early Childhood Education pathways touched and connected numerous times. I remember her visiting Hamilton where we were working with Somali Refugee groups. Her comment about the problematic of Anglophone norms, talking about how a 'family' would be offered a place in New Zealand. Often the father would bring his favourite wife and favourite children ( often not the children of his favourite wife). That resonated with me as I could see similar examples. Later we were both members of OMEP and on met on skype monthly. Often sharing a computer screen with Diti. In 2024 she was on our Zoom meetings, from her hospital bed!! Any other person would have taken time to perhaps sleep. Recent memories was her query on a OMEP posting about a speech language research funded by a corporate body. 'Why is THIS on OMEP?' . She was not mollified by my response about 'keeping in touch with what is happening out there. Haere, haere, haere atu Nola You are sadly missed

E Nola - e mihi aroha ana ki a koe e te tuakana. Thank you for always being kind, generous of spirit and a fierce advocate for tamariki. I learnt so much from you at ACE and always appreciated your unwavering tautoko. Okioki atu rā Melinda

What sad news.  We will all miss Nola’s inspiration so much, with her passion and commitment to the rights of others.  Thank you, Nola, for your friendship to me as a colleague.  You worked so hard to fulfil your goals of supporting others.  Your commitment to OMEP, for example, enabled the work of others to succeed.  I remember your evening presentations after our working day when you inspired me to attend and learn more, thanks to you.

Thank you, dear Nola. Your social justice advocacy alongside children, families, and teachers and how you lived your life with kindness, generosity, and humility will have an enduring impact. I am grateful for the time we spent thinking and writing together. It was a privilege and joy to know you and learn from you. Peace to you and your family. Love, Meg

Nola is a remarkable woman whose compassion and dedication touched countless lives. Nola was more than an advocate; she was a tireless champion for children and a beacon of hope for those in need. Her unwavering commitment to children's rights and well-being was evident in every facet of her life, from her work as a passionate volunteer to her role as a steadfast voice for the voiceless. Nola believed every child deserved a chance to thrive, and she devoted herself to making that belief a reality. Whether fighting for policy changes, organizing community programs, or simply offering a kind word and a listening ear, she brought light into the lives of children and families facing hardship. As a n active volunteer, Nola worked tirelessly, pouring her energy into initiatives that uplifted and empowered young lives. Her kindness and dedication inspired those around her to join her mission, creating a ripple effect of change. Though her physical presence is no longer with us, Nola's legacy will continue to shine brightly in the lives she touched and the causes she championed. She leaves behind a world made better by her extraordinary love and determination. Nola will be deeply missed but never forgotten, and has forever left an impression on me to always be the voice when others need it.

Nola was a tremendous advocate for children, and especially refugee children. I met her very early in my time in NZ when I was working in the Maori and Island division- this is in the late 1980s! She was passionate then about equity for new arrivals to Aotearoa and remained so throughout her life. May she rest in peace. With a heavy heart for a beautiful person gone, but a wonderful sense of appreciation for her generous gifts to all who met her.

I met Nola back in 1996 at Western Sydney University. I was running a conference on bilingualism in early childhood eduction which Nola attended and within the first seconds of our meeting, there was an instant connection. Since then, Nola and I have remained friends, catching up whenever I was in Aotearoa New Zealand. Nola was a true and special friend, with so much love to give and our connection to each other was deep and unique. Whenever we caught up, after many years apart, it was like we had never been separated. We had so much in common, our convictions to social justice and diversity in early childhood education, multilingualism and equity for children and families. We also shared our experiences of being working mums, straddling the unforgiving and relentless workload of academia and the impact this has on family life. Nola was a beacon of light with her wisdom, kindness and empathy and always gave me strength and conviction in my work. But she was also a kind and empathetic friend. She never judged or gave advise but always listened – a special gift that so few people have. A beautiful friend, an amazing academic, a wonderful sister, daughter, wife, mum and nana and no doubt a best friend and close colleague to many – we have all been so blessed to know and love you Nola. The memories of our times together will always stay in my heart and I will miss you dearly. Rest in peace Criss Jones Diaz

Nola,I feel so sad but also incredibly grateful for the time I spent with you. You were an amazing mentor, always prepared to share your knowledge and create opportunities for us to broaden our horizons.

I had the privilege of getting to know Nola through OMEP and our shared early childhood experiences. I will remember with great fondness Nola's kindness, empathy and her very caring nature together with her strength of belief and conviction advocating for the rights of children, their identities, cultures, languages and play. I learned so much from Nola, her gentleness, wisdom and humour. Thank you, Nola, for being you and enriching my life. Rest in peace. Ngā mihi nui Gwen

Goodbye Nola and huge vinakavakalevu for your unwavering support, commitment and love for our PACIFIC PEOPLE. Thank you to your wonderful family for always releasing you to do this. You have always been there for us especially when the Pacific teacher exchange programme started! A pillar of strong tower for our kaiako during their time in NZ. Forever will be remembered in our hearts!!!

I was really sorry to hear about Nola's passing. She was a wonderful lady giving her all to everything she was involved in. My thoughts are with all her family and friends at this time.

Dear Nola, I’m so sad, that you passed away before I had the chance to meet you again. We knew each other since 1990 when I came first to New Zealand to visit my brother Rainer (Leo). From the very beginning you were so friendly … we felt we were on the same wavelength. You showed me a Maori kindergarden and opened a new world to me. In 2005 the World Conference of IPA (International Play Association) took place in Berlin and Nola came all the way to participate and to have a great time together afterwards in our holiday house in Austria. Every time when I came to New Zealand we met each other having a coffee, exchanging news from our mutual passion of education. We both became godmothers to Tabea (*2005) … another reason to meet in the house of my brother and his family. Now you are gone .. too early for some other meetings. You will stay in my heart forever. Karla

Long before children’s rights were widely known, Nola was a strong, clear voice shining a light on the lives of our very youngest children. She was committed to children’s voices in all languages, in all cultures and in the context of an Aotearoa based on Te Tiriti o Waitangi. She was a gifted presenter, combining the rigours of scholarship with humour. She was also a brave advocate who understood the importance of socially just policies that prioritised children’s experiences.. Thank you, Nola, for your belief in play and in the voice of the child. Rest in peace Sarah Te One

Thank you Nola for so very many years of inspiration about children and how they learn. The value of language and literacy has been integral to my thinking for so long and very much inspired by you. You will not be forgotten. All thoughts for your family from me. Celeste

Nola your knowledge, kindness, and loving warm way will be missed so much. Thank you for your kindness towards me over these years.

We are still lost for words and when I try to formulate what Nola meant to us, as a family and to each one of us individually, my whole chest expands and hurts as if my heart is increasing with each thought, and it doesn’t want to let go. I’ll miss a true friend, I‘ll miss the feeling of being heard and understood by Nola, I’ll always remember us juggling our different stories when we talked, it was like we were weaving with our words, thoughts, and feelings. Time just flew by, and it felt good. I’m so immensely grateful that I met Nola, for all the love we received, for all the caring, the empathy, the wonderful stories, the good advice, the wonderful food, the thoughtful gifts. Above all I am grateful for Nola taking us into her whanau, that really gave us a connection to the land and the people. We will always carry you in our hearts Love Trixi, Leo, Tabea, Miriam

I met Nola when I was 21, in the Auckland Domain, on Nicholas's birthday. I did not yet know that we would be living next door to each other, and from then on, our friendship and love for each other would never stop growing. . I can remember dozens of funny stories, and the help we gave each other, the laughter we shared, the pains of relationships that we helped each other through. I can remember John tapping on her bedroom window, when he was determined to make her his. I cannot remember a single time we had an argument. I have a hole in my heart with her leaving, but I know she is on a new and exciting path, what joy she has in her new life, how all her pain is gone. I will not try to call her back, it would only make her sad as she cannot reach us, but I will become glad for her, as she travels toward her future. I send my love and prayers to John, Steve, Nicholas who were such a big part of my early life.

To my dearest beautiful Nola, our Nola. Somehow I feel that you and your goodness belong to and touch all those who know you. There is still so much more to say to each other in this lifetime and yet when I sit with this need to speak to you - the feeling and the emotion and the sense of connection behind it are enough and speak deeper than words. It is love. But also admiration and respect and gratitude. I will always love you and yours Terry Pratchett said ‘No one is actually dead until the ripples they cause in the world die away” Lady, your ripples are strong and emanating outwards everyday in your children, their every act, in the lives of people you have helped… loved, in the beautiful grandchildren who have you as their greying guiding light, with your gentle dry humour and grace. I think you have an innate ability to make people feel deeply seen and understood. Your energetic legacy is far reaching. We know this – but GOD we don’t want to let you go. I know that we tend to avoid talk of death and dying in our culture, yet this isn’t the way in every culture. It doesn’t have to be that way. It can be entry into a new phase. I want to be authentic and acknowledge that the ripples of grief with you not being here will be profound because they reflect the depth of love felt for you. My eyes are wet and my voice unsteady. But grief is actually hanging on to love – the aim is not to get rid of it. It is meant to be carried and we grow around it, the way some trees can envelop a structure over time, never to be separated and yet never quite the same again. And all trees will grow differently. I think the underground mycorrhizal network of this particular unique and beautiful tree family will exchange messages and nourishment and defences to support each other as required, just as you have done for them. I love you Nola. You are always part of us. It’s not goodbye. Carly

Hi there is David you have been a fabulous person in my life and I am sorry 😢 for the family passing but the sky will shine bright with sun 🌞 light and it will say the way to the 💜 and fun times I have had lots of love 💗 from my heart