June 08, 2016
Latimer shaped Crown-Maori relationship
Tributes have been coming from across the political spectrum for Sir Graham Latimer who died yesterday at the age of 90.
The Prime Minister John Key, says as the chair of the New Zealand Maori Council Sir Graham was influential in shaping the modern state of the Crown-Maori relationship.
He was also a long-time supporter and adviser to the National Party and served as the party’s Maori vice-president for over a decade.
Labour Party leader Andrew Little says Sir Graham 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 Maori throughout the country.
His legacy includes challenging the government to enable iwi radio and television rights, and to te reo Maori becoming an official language.
Green Party Maori spokesperson Marama Davidson says Sir Graham Latimer was an inspirational leader who will be remembered for helping to enshrine the Treaty of Waitangi into law.
His calm head guided the New Zealand Maori Council through many difficult times.
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