Wairoa Maori leader mourned

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

NGATI Kahungunu Iwi deputy chairman and Wairoa Maori leader Rill (Riwai) Meihana passed away at his home in Nuhaka on Tuesday.

He was into his eighth year on the iwi board and was chairman of the Wairoa Taiwhenua Board.

He was also on local and regional committees including; Ngati Rangi hapu, Wairoa Alcohol and Drug Day Counselling Services, Te Poho o Te Rehu Marae, Nuhaka Maori Tribal Committee, Aramatua Farm Corporation, Kahungunu Marae, Wairoa Hospital Select Committee, Rakaipaaka hapu Treaty Claims and the Ngati Rangi Mautoki Treaty Claims.

Mr Meihana and wife Larraine also managed a Child, Youth and Family Home in Wairoa for more than 17 years.

Ngati Kahungunu Iwi chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana said Mr Meihana aspired to promote the health and wellbeing of his people.

“Rill was a staunch advocate for Kahungunu and ‘an abrupt to the point leader’, who maintained the mana of Kahungunu 24/7.”

Mr Meihana is survived by wife Larraine, children Dr Suzanne Pitama and Denal Meihana, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

He will lie in state at Kahungunu Marae until Friday, when his funeral service will be held at the Latter Day Saints Chapel, Nuhaka.