June 26, 2020
Love of language opened doors for tribal leader
A Ngāti Rangi leader says the death of educationalist and treaty claim negotiator Toni Waho is a devastating loss for the iwi.
Mr Waho was swept into the Tokiāhuru Stream 10km east of Ōhakune while taking his nightly walk with his dogs on Wednesday evening.
Che Wilson says he was living back on his marae papakainga after many years living in Palmerston North, where he was founding principal of the Mana Tamariki kura kaupapa.
Mr Waho was brought up Waipukurau but reconnected to Ngāti Rangi after studying at Victoria University of Wellington under his father’s cousin, the late Ruka Broughton.
"He just fostered this love of te ao Māori in Toni and in others who were there like judge Joe Williams, Rikirangi Gage, they were all there at the same time. That helped Toni be determined and for him and Penny to raise their kids speaking te reo," Mr Wilson says.
His commitment to having his children speak Māori opened doors with elders and led to him leading the research and presentation of the Ngāti Rangi claim.
Toni Waho will be taken this afternoon to Tirohanga Marae, with his funeral service to be held on Sunday before he is buried at the neighbouring Ngā Mōkai Marae.
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