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He was known as Uncle Bert around the halls and streets of the capital, but to one of his nephews he was a valuable source of advice and support.
Bert Mackie of Ngati Wai died last month in his 83rd year and has been buried at Takahiwai Marae near Whangarei.
Northland MP and former Maori affairs minister Winston Peters says his Uncle Bert served during World War 2 in both the merchant marine and the Royal New Zealand Navy, and he was also a noted rugby player, representing Auckland on the wing.
He managed pubs in the North and South Islands and was known for bringing in overseas entertainers to venues like the Thunderbird Tavern on Auckland's North Shore, as well his support for Maori community organisations and for Maori rugby.
Mr Mackie came into Maori affairs in the 1980s as a troubleshooter after success in business, and only stepped down as its kaumatua a couple of years ago.
"He had a very good corporate memory but he also had a good style about him so you wouldn't hear Bert say a bad word about people particularly when sooner or later you would have to work with them so he would see their positive side and try to make progress and forget about some of the things that might be an impediment to progress, and that is an important person to have around and he will be sadly missed," Mr Peters says.
Bert Mackie is survived by his children Robert and Jaydene.
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