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Staunch is the word being used to describe Ngati Whatua kaumatua Taukutai Wikiriwhi, who died yesterday at the age of 83.
The Ratana apostle was at Orakei Marae overnight, and he will soon be heading for his birthplace Oruawharo near Wellsford.
Tamaki Makaurau MP Pita Sharples says he is privileged to have worked with Mr Wikiriwhi over many years.
"There’s no elder I’ve loved as much as that man because he has been a lone voice sometimes on behalf of Ngati Whatua, on behalf of Maori, opening buildings, lifting tapu, blessing people, manaaki manuhiri, everything Doc turns out and of course he was the senior kaumatua for my electorate, Tamaki Makaurau, and he’d open the hui and contribute every now and again. He was such a staunch man and loved by so many people," Dr Sharples says.
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