Six time world champion wool handler, Jo Kumeroa has passed away after fighting her battle with cancer.
The 45-year-old from Te Ati Haunui-ā-Pāpārangi grew up in the shearing sheds of Ngāti Maniapoto.
Throughout her time participating in the sport, she has competed in 15 Golden Shears, two individual and two team titles, but that doesn't include her win at the Māori sports awards in 2012 when she and fellow friend Joel Henare of Ngāti Porou took out the Best Māori Sports Team award for wool handling.
The mother and grandmother has been battling cervical cancer for several years but that didn't deter her from enjoying life.
She will lie at Parekino Marae in Whanganui.