Nga Kaihoe o Aotearoa acknowledge the loss of a great leader with the passing of Dr Apirana Mahuika, surrounded by his whanau in Gisborne yesterday morning. The tributes have began to flow for Dr Mahuika, who was a leading figure in most of the major political and topical issues that have confronted Iwi in recent years. He was a recognised leader of Ngati Porou, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

His passion for the promotion and protection of Ngati Porou Taonga and Te Reo ake o Ngati Porou was unrelenting, as was his commitment to the self-determination of Ngati Porou whanau and hapū, and to education and the pursuit of excellence in all endeavours. To quote Selwyn Parata: “Dr Mahuika was a formidable orator in both languages, a scholar of Ngati Porou, an ordained minister and an academic of te ao Pakeha”. He contributed to (and was widely regarded for his) leadership across many local regional and national initiatives in educational, social, environmental, economic and political arenas.   

Dr Mahuika’s support and guidance in the waka ama community was particularly through his connection with the Mareikura Canoe Club, for whom his wife Karin was a successful paddler and administrator for over 20 years and for whom his children  paddled in their younger years. Dr. Mahuika was instrumental in securing funding for the the clubs first four waka. The waka were named after Ngaiti Porou ancestors and are still in regular use today.

Our thoughts are with Karin, sons Mataanuku and Hamana and mokopuna Renata, Karin, Umuariki and Kuraunuhia, who have been described as his 'beloved pride and joy'.