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June 21, 2017
Raukawa mourns the loss of their rangatira Iwi Nicholson
Waatea Team
Posted On June 21, 2017
Ngati Raukawa and Ngati Toa Rangatira are mourning the loss of kaumatua Ngarongo Iwikatea "Iwi" Nicholson.
Mr Nicholson grew up on his grandparents’ Porokaiaia farm between Levin and Foxton.
As well passing down tribal history, his grandparents encouraged him to have a good command of English because they considered it vital for understanding the legal processes involved in retaining land.
Mr Nicholson and his wife raised 17 children, including those of his sister who died at the age of 28.
He was a mentor to many, including Maori Party founder Dame Tariana Turia.
Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell says his death is a loss to the nation.
"A recognised leader amongst Ngati Raukawa all over the country, he played a prominent part with Te Wananga o Raukawa in its very beginnings and has been very much the backbone of language revitalisation among the Ngati Raukawa people so another of our pakeke has passed on and huge losses in te ao Maori so far this year," he says.
The tangi for Iwi Nicholson is at Ngatokowaru Marae in Levin with the funeral set for Friday.
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