Rangitīaria Dennan (née Ratema; 14 July 1897 – 13 August 1970), known as Guide Rangi, was a New Zealand tribal leader, teacher and tourist guide. Of Māori descent, she identified with the Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Tarāwhai, Te Arawa and Tūhourangi iwi.Rangitiaria Ratema Dennan, John Ross Annabell. Guide Rangi of Rotorua, 1968Kevin Boon, Nelson Price Milburn. Guide Rangi- 1991 "Tells the story of Rangi Dennan or "Guide Rangi" of the Whakarewarewa thermal area and her contribution to the New Zealand tourist industry."Karen Fox -Maori and Aboriginal Women in the Public Eye 2011- Page 96 "Rangitīaria Dennan, who was best known as Guide Rangi, was widely known and celebrated for her work as a guide, ... " A granddaughter of Tene Waitere,Carved Histories: Rotorua Ngāti Tarawhai Woodcarving - Page 64 Roger Neich - 2001 "6.37) for his own daughter, Rimupae, built to his basic monument design and erected at the home of his granddaughter, Guide Rangi, at Whakarewarewa. Tene attended the unveiling of this monument (Fig. 6.38) and then three weeks later, ..." she was born in Ngāpuna, near Rotorua, New Zealand. She attended Hukarere Native School for Girls. In 1925 she gave up teaching and nursing to devote herself to guide work using her unique knowledge of lore and art.Maori Nose Kiss 'Best 1943 Photo' (1944, June 27). The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1931 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved February 3, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article248897936
Dennan was the subject of Encyclopædia Britannica's best photo of 1943. Captured by Wellington photographer James Thompson it depicted Dennan giving First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt a Māori hongi.Maori Nose Kiss 'Best 1943 Photo' (1944, June 27). The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1931 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved February 3, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article248897936
Dennan's husband died in 1943.Maori Nose Kiss 'Best 1943 Photo' (1944, June 27). The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1931 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved February 3, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article248897936 In January 1954 Dennan escorted Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, around geothermal attractions and the model village at Whakarewarewa, Rotorua.Rangi set Duke bubbling with joy (1954, January 4). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 1. Retrieved February 3, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article26582673Guide Rangi with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, 1954, National Library of New Zealand Two months later she was in Australia as part of a two-week visit promoting Tourism in New Zealand, sponsored by the Central Travel Bureau.Rangi's pastime (1954, March 16). Daily Mirror (Sydney, NSW : 1941 - 1955), p. 1 (Late Fianl Extra 5). Retrieved February 3, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article277932443
In the 1957 New Year Honours she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to the tourist movement. In 1949 she was appointed a Serving Sister of the Order of St John for her services to St John.
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