Norma Sturley is well known within Te Arawa can regularly be found performing the karanga for distinguished guests at her ancestral Marae in Ohinemutu, Rotorua.
The Ngāti Whakaue elder has put her name forward to participate in the annual "Lifewise Big Sleepout" on the 2nd of July where she will be made homeless for one cold night in the dead of winter to raise money and awareness about the homeless who sleep rough every night.
Along with Norma fellow participants include Tamati Coffey, Kingi Biddle, Tania Charteris the marketing manager at Mitai Māori Village and Renee Raimona marketing manager at Whakarewarewa Thermal Village.
The Big Sleepout will take place in Auckland and Rotorua on the 2nd of July.