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Labour mourns loss of Sir Graham
Rangahia mai I hea te takapau! Rangahia mai I Wāwau-ātea te takapau. Tukua iho kei reira a Tangaroa e whakatae ana mai ki te whatupungapunga. Tukua iho rā! Ka huri te takapau e!
The Labour Party mourns the loss of prominent Māori leader and politician Sir Graham Latimer, says Opposition Leader Andrew Little.
“Sir Graham was a staunch advocate and worked tirelessly to progress Māori rights while paving the way for a better understanding of historical grievances.
“For more than 40 years, Sir Graham was involved with the New Zealand Māori Council and was also a member of the original Treaty of Waitangi Tribunal.
“His work as chairman of the Crown Forestry Rental Trust and the Waitangi Fisheries Commission lead to his appointment as a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
“He was a genuine leader with a reputation for having a steel-trap mind committed to making a better life for his people in the north and Māori throughout the country.
“Sir Graham helped open a window to the Māori world. His legacy includes legally challenging the Government to enable iwi radio and television rights. His work also led to te reo Māori becoming an official language in 1987.
“Sir Graham was a man of mana who displayed deft negotiation skills and a sharp wit. He influenced our cultural and political landscape.
“This is a huge loss for Māori and the rest of New Zealand. Labour offers our sincere condolences to the Latimer whānau,” says Andrew Little.
He pō ka tere ki te pae e kore e hoki mai! He tangata ka riro atu ki te pōkākā ka ngaro e! Auē rā ko Matariki kaitangata e!
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
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