A tireless fighter for Ngāti Wai has died.
Laly Paraone Haddon died at his Pakiri home on Tuesday after a long battle with cancer.
He was 74.
Mr Haddon farmed his family land at the Northland beach, and also ran horse trekking with his wife Sharley.
Mr Haddon played rugby for Tomarata, Omaha, Rodney, North Auckland and New Zealand Māori.
He served as a Rodney County Councillor and chaired the Ngāti Wai Trust Board for many years.
He also led the claim by Ngāti Manuhiri which secured the return of Te Hauturu-o-Toi, Little Barrier.
In 2009 he was awarded a Queens Service Medal for services to conservation, which included helping create the country’s first marine reserve near Leigh.
Laly Haddon’s tangi is at Omaha Marae, Leigh, with the service on Saturday at 11am.
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