All invited to celebrate businessman Nic Magdalinos' life

The Hawke's Bay community is invited to celebrate the life of Nic Magdalinos, who was found dead at his home last Friday, at Waiohiki Marae tomorrow. Photo/Supplied

The prominent Napier businessman, Nic Magdalinos, who died suddenly at his home last week is being remembered at Waiohiki Marae tomorrow.

The managing director of Paris Magdalinos Architects and the son of the late acclaimed modernist architect Paris Magdalinos will be traditionally welcomed onto the marae at 3pm alongside whanau and visitors for a celebration of his life.

The Hawke's Bay community are invited to attend the ceremony, which will provide an opportunity for organisational representatives and friends to express their condolences. There will be a short service and blessing followed by light kai and entertainment.

Friend Denis O'Reilly said, on behalf of the Ngati Paarau whanau, at this time when the Magdalinos whanau, Mr Magdalinos' partner Vania, and the members of the architectural practice of PMA were confronted by deep grief and sorrow, they would take the opportunity to lift their spirits by hosting Mr Magdalinos at the Waiohiki Marae and extending manaaki and support to all those who mourn in the Maori tradition.

"Nic and his colleagues at PMA have been generous with their time and architectural expertise and creativity. Sometimes they have had to be patient with us. We want to demonstrate in a practical way that this has been appreciated."

Mr Magdalinos had a close connection with the families in the Waiohiki area and Mr O'Reilly said one of his legacies would be the new Waiohiki whare.

"Nic carried on his father's commitment to building an inclusive society where Maori and Pakeha collaborated and enjoyed each other's company. He became a key figure in the redevelopment of the Waiohiki Marae and, in that, the building of the new wharenui."

The whanau of Ngati Paarau said in May 1851 their tribal leaders Tareha te Moananui and Paora Kaiwhata invited Europeans of good character to establish a settlement at Ahuriri, what was now modern day Napier.

"Their aspiration was that the peoples of our then fledgling country would work together collaboratively to establish a nation in which all citizens could enjoy the bounties of our shared waters and lands."

The late Paris Magdalinos started this Ngati Paarau vision of creating an inclusive 21st century community at Waiohiki, and his son, Nic, bought into it. The vision was founded on Maori values, but welcomed the participation of any New Zealander who wanted to contribute.

"Our tipuna may well have envisaged those such as members of the Magdalinos whanau who have been true friends and generous partners to Ngati Paarau."

The funeral will be held at 40 Waiohiki Rd, Taradale, at 3pm.