Labour MP Willie Jackson says the deaths yesterday of former New Zealand First MP Pita Paraone and Ngāi Tahu leader Tahu Potiki are blows to Māoridom.
Mr Jackson says when he was clearing out his office in 2002 after the ousting from parliament of the Alliance, Mr Paraone took time out from an orientation for new MPs to mihi to him and thank him for his contributions.
While a humble man, he could also stand his ground.
Mr Potiki he got to know as chief executive of Ngāi Tahu, and he became a great friend.
"Hell of a background – he was involved in gangs when he was young and this is someone who educated himself and came back in terms of his life, in terms of being a second language speaker and one of the Māori speakers for Ngāi Tahu. Both of these guys were leaders in terms of te ao Māori," Mr Jackson says.
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