May 28, 2018
Kingi Taurua a lightning rod for Ngapuhi storms
A lightning rod.
That's how Northland orator Waihoroi Shortland describes Kingi Taurua who died last Thursday at the age of 80.
The former soldier, corrections officer, ministerial adviser and broadcaster achieved a national profile for his annual challenges to the crown at Waitangi.
Mr Shortland says he tended to cross the line from news gather to news maker.
"If I was to characterise Kingi in one way I would call him a lightning rod. He wasn't just one to attract fire, he threw fire out. Maybe it wasd his upbringing, maybe it was his army training, he knew few ways other than to confront a thing head on," he says.
Today King Taurau is with Ngati Kawa at Oramahoe, and tomorrow Ngati Rehia will host his funeral service at Hiruharama Hou Marae in Te Tii Mangonui.
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