Te Ururoa Flavell abandoned a trip to New York in order to join a contingent of Te Arawa representatives paying tribute to Dr Apirana Mahuika.
The Waiariki MP and Maori Party co-leader was to attend the unveiling of tukutuku panels at the United Nations headquarters in New York today.
Instead,he flew back to New Zealand from Los Angeles earlier this week after news of the death of the Ngati Porou leader.
Mr Flavell was on his first overseas trip as the Minister of Maori Development.
Mr Flavell arrived in Tikitiki on Tuesday, where Dr Mahuika's tangi is being held. Among those attending from Te Arawa include kaumatua Sir Toby Curtis and director of Kaupapa Maori at Rotorua Lakes Council Mauriora Kingi.
Mr Flavell said Te Tairawhiti (the East Coast) and te ao Maori had lost a great leader.
"Dr Api Mahuika exuded rangatiratanga. He was unrelenting in his promotion and protection of all Ngati Porou taonga - from its fisheries, foreshore and whenua to Ngati Porou reo and tikanga.
"He was at the vanguard of early Treaty claims and settlements including the Maori fisheries settlement, the landmark Wai 262 claim and the Ngati Porou land claim.
"Like the Maori Party, Dr Mahuika was a strong supporter of Maori medium education. He penned many stories in te reo Maori and was a sought after translator," he said.
