An Australian-born Baha’i, Pam Ringwood, who made a significant contribution to her adopted country of New Zealand, passed away aged 83 in Auckland on 19 March 2014.
Ms Ringwood, a senior legal academic at the University of Auckland, gained national recognition when appointed by the New Zealand Government to the Waitangi Tribunal, which aims at assisting with the reconciliation of Maori and Europeans.
Her role on the Tribunal between 1993 and 2001 was just one of the many ways Ms Ringwood served New Zealand society.
Ms Ringwood specialised in the law in relation to social services, the care of children, families, adoption, and human rights.
As both a lawyer and a trained social worker, she became a public speaker for many charitable organisations, offering her expertise freely and generously.
As a family law specialist, Ms Ringwood mediated in family disputes and served on government organisations assisting children.
She also served on the board of the New Zealand Foundation for Peace Studies and was a member of the Auckland University committee for Peace Study and Research, as well as belonging to the Maori Women’s Welfare League.
As a single woman in the 1970s, Ms Ringwood adopted three children Sharon, Mia and David. This was very unusual at the time and attracted media attention.
Ms Ringwood was a member of the elected national governing body of the Baha’i Faith in Australia, the National Spiritual Assembly, from 1960 to 1967. After moving to New Zealand in 1968, she was elected to the equivalent body there.
A spokesperson for the New Zealand Baha’i community, Shirin Foroughian, said that beyond the loss to the Baha’i community, the death of Ms Ringwood is a loss to the whole country.
“Pam’s sphere of service and the contributions she rendered included, and extended beyond, her family, her Faith, her community, and profession.
“Pam will be fondly remembered for her cheerful, caring disposition, her sense of humour and her brilliant mind.
“She had boundless energy and was truly inspirational. She was also down-to-earth and could engage with those from any walk of life and make them feel at ease.
“Although humble about her achievements and her qualifications, Pam was well-known to many people of capacity in New Zealand.”
Pam Ringwood is survived by her three children and six grandchildren.