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The chair of Te Matatini says the late Ngapo Wehi will be remembered as one of the greatest exponents of the Maori performing arts.
Mr Wehi died on Sunday aged 82 and is at Parihimanihi Marae in Waihirere until Thursday.
Selwyn Parata says he came to Gisborne from Opotiki in the early 1950s and came under the wing of distinguished promoters of the culture including Kani Te Ua and Wiremu Kerekere.
After leading Waihirere for 20 years and two national titles, he and wife Pimia moved to Auckland where they established five times national champions Te Waka Huia.
Mr Parata told Radio Waatea host Willie Jackson some of Mr Wehi’s songs are still performed by both groups, and his Haka a Maui ranks among the top modern haka.
" What he had was he learnt from the elders, his own elders from Te Whakatohea and when he came to Waihirere, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Rongowhakaata elders and also the Ngati Porou elders that were all involved in not only kapa haka, nga kaupapa a iwi," he says.
Selwyn Parata says Ngapo Wehi had a true creative partnership with his wife Pimia.
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