Nyman a sad loss to Maoridom

John Nyman The Patea Maori Club lost another leader with the passing of its chairman John Nyman on Tuesday night in Patea.

Mr Nyman of Ngati Ruanui, Ngaruahine, and Whanganui iwi descent, is being remembered for dedicating much of his life to the revitalisation of the performing arts and Maori language.

In the 1980s he left the navy and got a job in the Patea freezing works. Two years later the works closed and he found himself unemployed, as did many of his whanau.

Te Tai Hauauru MP Tariana Turia said Mr Nyman became a member of the Patea Maori Club that recorded the song Poi E.

She said Mr Nyman also gave willingly of his knowledge to the Waitangi Tribunal and gave insights into the history of Ngati Ruanui.

The chairman of Ngati Ruanui iwi in South Taranaki says Mr Nyman's death is a sad loss for Maoridom, especially the kapa haka community.

Ngapari Nui said that besides devoting much of his life to revitalising performing arts and Maori language, Mr Nyman was also involved in social work in Patea and counselled Maori inmates in prison.

Mr Nyman's tangi is at Aotearoa Marae near Hawera. And early yesterday Ngati Tuwharetoa and Maoridom's senior statesman, Timoti (Timi) te Heuheu, died after being diagnosed last year with terminal cancer. The Ngati Tuwharetoa leader was the brother of paramount chief Tumu te Heuheu and husband of former Cabinet minister Georgina te Heuheu.