Respected Bay of Plenty iwi leader Morehu Ngatoko Rahipere dies

Morehu Ngatoko Rahipere was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Maori. His funeral service will be held on Friday. Photo/file

Respected Maori advocate Dr Morehu Ngatoko Rahipere has died.

Dr Rahipere was leader and elder of Ngati Ranginui iwi and had been an advocate for the coming together of Maori and non-Maori in the Tauranga Moana region.

Tangi arrangements have now been made to farewell the beloved kaumatua.

Dr Rahipere was honoured as a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Maori.

Dr Morehu Rahipere, taken in 2004.

In a previous story, Dr Rahipere said he had many European friends and having a wide mix of associates from different cultures was the key to fostering a harmonious society.

Dr Rahipere will lie in state at Wairoa Marae, Tauranga today. Tomorrow at 8am, Dr Rahipere will be taken to Huria Marae where he will spend the duration of his tangihanga.

A funeral service for Dr Rahipere will be held on Friday at 7.30am before he is taken to his final resting place at Motuopae.