She was born in Tokomaru Bay, the daughter of Hirini Karaka-Waiti and Te Iwingaro Potae. She was educated at the Tokomaru Bay native school and Hukarere College. She married Te Arani Sonny Haig in 1938 and they went on to have eleven children. She is known as Aunty Ada.
Biographical sources
- “Titiro, Moko! Whakarongo, Moko!” Growing Up Māori. Ed. Witi Ihimaera. Auckland, N.Z.: Tandem Press, 1998. 40.
Other
- "Titiro, Moko! Whakarongo, Moko! Speaking With Aunty Ada." Mai I Rangiātea: Māori Wellbeing and Development. Ed. Pania Te Whāiti, Mārie McCarthy and Arohia Durie. Auckland. N.Z.: Auckland UP with Bridget Williams Press, 1997. 39-45. Rpt. as "Titiro, Moko! Whakarongo, Moko!" in Growing Up Māori. Ed. Witi Ihimaera. Auckland, N.Z.: Tandem Press, 1998. 40-46.
- This interview was conducted by Marie McCarthy, one of Aunty Ada’s family members, on 3 January 1995.