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Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox says Maori in Wellington will fight to ensure the legacy of Bruce Stewart lives on.
Mr Stewart died yesterday aged 80 after a stroke.
His tangi is at Tapu Te Ranga Marae, the sprawling complex he started building in 1974 overlooking island Bay as a place for homeless, unemployed and troubled Maori to find shelter and learn their culture and the skills they needed to survive in the city.
Mrs Fox says his door was open to anyone who needed help.
"He will be greatly missed and there is a fight on our hands to make sure Tapu te Ranga Marae is not lost to the Wellington City Council who have been trying for years to shut them down and take over that land and we all know why, because that's 50 acres of prime real estate right there. Maori in this city respect and love Papa Bruce Stewart and will come together to ensure his legacy and his dream continues despite his passing," she says.
The funeral service for Bruce Stewart is at 10am Sunday,
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