Maori singer, songwriter and producer Dalvanius Prime has died.
Most famous for the 1984 hit single, Poi E, a collaboration with Ngoi Pewhairangi, Maui Dalvanius Prime began his musical career in 1969 when he and his brother Eddie and sister Barbara entered a talent competition as pop trio The Fascinations.
He spent the 1970s touring overseas and returned to New Zealand in 1979 to set up a production company.
He arranged and produced the late Prince Tui Teka's award-winning album, The Man, The Music, The Legend and twenty years ago set up Maui Records, recording and releasing many local acts.
He also achieved prominence with his involvement in the campaign to repatriate and rebury mokomokai (shrunken heads).
Mr Prime stood for Parliament in 1999 as a candidate for the Piri Wiri Tua party in Te Tai Hauauru.
The Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Judith Tizard today paid tribute to Mr Prime, who died yesterday, for his role in bringing Maori culture to the fore.
Leading Maori entertainer dies
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