The family of Sir Tom Davis

Dorice is that rare individual who carries a light within her. We considered her a part of the family and her friendship with Papa Tom and all of us was very special. She found time for everyone and her encouragement of young Cook Islanders is unmatched. Dorice was integral to many aspects of life here and she did everything well. May we all carry on her passion for our culture and our country. Her grace and elegance carried her through everything. We will miss her perceptive nature, sense of humour, and those private moments we had with her. Whether she was giving advice about how to store fruit for her great smoothies or providing insight to navigating lifes ups and downs, it is those private moments with her that will be missed the most. We are grateful for our time with her and her friendship will be deeply missed. Cant help but wonder who shell have at her first heavenly dinner party.

Tourism CEO Carmel Beattie

Te Tika, you were to me the quintessential Cook Islander passionate, brave, fun-loving and with your feet firmly planted in both your worlds your Polynesian culture and as a modern entrepreneur. Thank you for your wise counsel, your support, your passion and your quick laugh. You achieved so much in your time here on earth and your mana will live on.

Glenda Tuaine

It is moments like these that we stop and take stock of the power that our female colleagues, friends and family have in making impressions on our lives.

Te Tika Mataiapo Dorice Reid was a woman that stood by what she believed in and supported others to grow, understand and achieve.

Forever graceful and always giving, she led our community to places that broke boundaries, created acceptance and strove for cultural recognition devoid of prejudice.

It is with much sadness that we say goodbye to her but know that she now sits with her mother and sister watching over us.

You will be missed, Aunty.

Penny and Jack Maich

To my beautiful friend whom I have always placed on a pedestal and admired in all she did for her people. From going to birthday parties as a 6-year-old to entering Air New Zealand as a photographer and always seeing her there. I will miss you so much and the correspondence we shared. You were there for me always with that smile and I loved you for all you stood for.

Teina Mackenzie

Always in the periphery of my mind, but stationed firmly within my heart.

So in awe of you as a woman - an achiever - that I move aside in your presence.

But you have left now, and you compel me to move forward to strive to be an achiever if even at a lesser degree to strive nevertheless. One of the many legacies you leave behind.

I will continue to think of you when groundbreaking moments occur as you have been a part of so many. Our family loves you dearly and so thankful I conveyed that to you recently. Now my words end and the tears begin.

Lisa Lahari

Aere ra, rest in love, to a Pacific sister, mentor, former work colleague, and dear friend.

Tahiarii Pariente

What a lady, one of those you meet and always remember. A woman of great stature, an imposing presence, a special and unique incarnation of our peoples best.

A mentor to all of us, a woman to see as an example. A sea farer, a cultural guardian, independent of any political involvement, a tohunga of many trades.

What a loss for our people, but what a star to look at as a guide.

My beloved auntie, whom I have welcomed home in Havai several times, beautiful, natural and highly spirited...te vahine marama, raatira, e vahine purotu, te hina.

We will miss you and the way you could make simple things special and the hope you gave us all when things seemed difficult. Thank you for your mana, for your support, for your presence. Thank you on behalf of all of our people in Raromatai for being who you are. A haere ra, a haere ra , a haere ra!

Hanna and Otto from Berlin

When we visited the Cooks first in 1985, we had the fortune to get to know Dorice immediately and from that moment we never lost contact with this wonderful person.

She brought us so close to the people of the Cooks, that we started to visit this little country nearly every year from Germany, the other side of the world. Her warmth, her sharp spirit, as well as her wide field of knowledge made us always keen to come back to the Cooks. She became an important part of our lives and we will miss her so badly.

Jeanne Matenga

I still dont quite believe it. She always supported us at CITV and always had uplifting words to say every time I wanted to moan and grumble about my work.

Mairi Heather

D Devoted, delightful, dedicated

O Obedient, orderly, organised

R Responsible, responsive, reliable, respectful

I Intelligent, interesting, inquisitive

C Caring, courteous, considerate, composed

E Elegant, experienced, extraordinary

She was a contemporary island girl. Shell be remembered for being a great leader and always well dressed. Wherever she went, she wore a rito hat or floral head ei, muumuu or floral dress, flower in her ear or neck ei. Every time she talked, she really emphasised the importance of our culture, language, customs, values, land, etc. She displayed a lot of passion for her culture and anything related to the Cook Islands...shes what I call a real contemporary island girl.