Charlie Crofts was a man for his people.
Ngāi Tahu Claim negotiator and the first kaiwhakahaere of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Charlie Crofts, has died aged 80.
Crofts, from Ngāti Huikai, Ngāi Tūāhuriri, and Ngāti Waewae called Koukourarata-Port Levy and Tuahiwi home.
In a statement from Te Rūnanga o Koukourarata, whānau lovingly referred to Crofts as “Uncle
Charlie” (Ngāti Huikai, Ngāi Tūāhuriri, Ngāti Waewae) and was remembered throughout the iwi as a “much-loved Ngāi Tahu leader who made a considerable contribution at both a hapū and iwi level”.
Born in 1943 at Tuahiwi in North Canterbury, he was the youngest son of Edward Te Oreorehua Crofts and Metapere Ngawini Crofts (nee Barrett).
He learned of the Ngāi Tahu Claim growing up through his grandfather William Barrett, who was heavily involved in tribal matters.
