Kaumatua John Maihi said he will miss his long-time friend and ally Dardinella Mete-Kingi Mato, who died peacefully at Kowhainui Rest Home on Tuesday.
Mr Maihi said the 85-year-old kuia was a stalwart of the Whanganui River iwi.
"She worked hard for social and health services, as well as being a tireless campaigner for land rights."
Mrs Mete-Kingi Mato and Mr Maihi worked together as kaumatua and kuia advisers to the Whanganui District Health Board, and Mr Maihi said she gave him great support.
"She was the best back-stop player - she would never let anything come up and hit you from behind."
Mr Maihi said "Dardi", as she was known, was named for members of her whanau who were killed in the Dardanelles in Turkey during World War I.
Mrs Mete-Kingi Mato was chosen to greet the United States rugby team players, after they took a waka trip up the Whanganui River during their stay in the city prior to the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
She will be taken to St Paul's Anglican Church at Putiki today. A service will be held at 7pm.