HB iwi pay tribute to Maori leader

Apirana Mahuika.

A busload of mourners was this morning travelling from Hastings to the East Coast as Ngati Kahungunu pay their respects to Ngati Porou leader Apirana Mahuika, who died at his home in the Gisborne suburb of Kaiti yesterday.

Dr Mahuika, who was 80, is lying in state at Rahui Marae, Tikitiki. A bus leaving Hastings' Waipatu Marae at 1am was expected to arrive for the mourners to be called on to the marae about 8am.

Known as "Api," Dr Mahuika was a highly regarded leader by Ngati Kahungunu. "Api will long be remembered for his unwaivering commitment to his people, Ngati Porou," the iwi says. "His staunch passion for maintaining the mana motuhake of Ngati Porou in all aspects was admired throughout New Zealand."

Ngati Kahungunu chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana, who was on the bus, said Dr Mahuika was an on old boy of Te Aute College in Central Hawke's Bay and "never forgot that connection with the area.

"We always joked that he may have gotten his rich blood in Ngati Porou, but he got his brains in Ngati Kahungunu," said Mr Tomoana, who has been in his position about the same length of time as Dr Mahuika has headed the Ngati Porou organisation.

He described Dr Mahuika as a big loss to both iwi, a "go-to man" not only in te reo Maori but also the history and tikanga stemming from the canoes Taktimu and Horouta.

"He was a father-figure in iwi terms, with the class of that era, and he was pretty quick to let you know if he had a different view, whether you were the Prime Minster or the cook," Mr Tomoana said.

Dr Mahuika was one of the longest serving iwi leaders, at the helm while maintaining "no one speaks for Ngati Porou but Ngati Porou."

He chaired the Working Party that saw the establishment of Te Rnanga o Ngti Porou and had served as chair for more than 20 years. He had a Master of Arts from Sydney University, was a licensed te reo Maori interpreter, and he had an Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy from Waikato University. He was also an ordained Anglican Minister.

Ikaroa Rawhiti MP Meka Whaitiri, a former Ngati Kahungunu CEO, said Ngati Porou had lost a great leader.

"His passion and commitment will be remembered not only by his whanau but by all of Maoridom," she said.

Dr Mahuika will lie at Rahui until Thursday when he will be laid to rest at his whnau urupa, Kaitaha.