"As a school boy I can remember travelling through the country with Sir Howard Morrison on a Maori youth development programme. We went to see different secondary schools and we ran into this gifted orator, a young student at Otaki College. A Te Arawa elder was teaching him many of those oratory skills that he became famous for. He moved back to our region and we met through Maori cultural activities. I tried to attend as many activities with him as I could.
"He had a beautiful manner and while he was well known for his oratory skills, even as a judge at the highest level, he always had a wonderful way of putting humour into his speeches."
Rotorua MP Todd McClay
"My thoughts and sympathies are with Mauriora's family, friends, and co-workers at the Rotorua Lakes Council during this very sad time. He was well-liked and respected by all who had the privilege of working with him," Mr McClay said.
"Mauriora's loss will have a significant impact in the community. He worked with iwi and local and central government and his dedicated service was recognised with a well-deserved honour over Queen's Birthday weekend.
"His deep understanding of Maori culture was invaluable. His loss will leave a great void in our community."
Waiariki MP and Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell:
"The eight beating hearts of Te Arawa are broken with the loss of one of our favourite sons. Mauriora Kingi epitomised the proverb Te Arawa Mangai Nui and now his unforgettable voice is silenced.
"Mauriora's passing leaves a deep hole in our hearts and he will be hugely missed by many people, Maori and Pakeha, but especially his people of Tuhourangi and Ngati Wahiao."
Mr Kingi was one of the chosen few that was raised by kaumatua and versed in te reo Maori, history and tikanga Maori from an early age, he said.
Ngati Whakaue kaumatua Monty Morrison:
"Mauriora was someone who we valued. We Morrisons are in mourning ourselves and in our sadness, at Tunohopu Marae, we extend our warmest and deepest aroha to Mauriora and his whanau. More particularly as Ngati Whakaue we're in tremendous shock. We will visit him once our duties are completed here.
"We have lost someone who was making a huge contribution to our city and to Maoridom throughout the country.
"He was one of the few brought up in tikanga Maori from a very early age. A great tribute to him is he would carry that with such mana and that's how I will remember him. He had a huge responsibility. He's made a huge contribution in his time."
Te Matatini Kapa Haka Aotearoa Executive Director Darrin Apanui:
Mr Apanui said the news of Mr Kingi's death came while the National Board of Te Matatini were meeting yesterday.
"Of course the Board was absolutely shocked with this news. Mauriora is considered a giant in the world of Kapa Haka from judging to te reo to providing advice and guidance at all levels of the artform."
He said Mr Kingi was highly respected amongst all kapa haka whanau and was a regular National Festival judge at the Te Matatini Biennial Festival.
"On behalf of Te Matatini our deepest sympathies to his whanau, his hapu and iwi at this time."
