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Tributes are flowing for social entrepreneur Ricky Houghton, who died early this morning at his home in Massey surrounded by whanau. He was 62.
Mr Houghton was a leading figure in the west Auckland Māori community until his relocation to his turangawaewae in the far north.
There he established He Korowai Trust which tackled the area’s housing problems as well as offered support for people caught in the criminal justice system of transitioning out of prison.
He carried on the tradition of activism and service learned at the knee of his uncles and mentors such as Sir Graham Latimer and Denis Hansen.
He was a familiar figure during Waitangi commemorations, where he would install himself in the lobby of the Waitangi Resort Hotel to lobby anybody who could make his dreams for He Korowai a reality.
Dr Hinemoa Elder says he made the world a better place in practical ways that will continue to benefit generations to come.
Ngāti Wai chief executive Huhana Lyndon says he was larger than life, a stalker, disruptor, leading from the front, people focused.
Ricky Houghton will lie for two nights at Te Piringatahi o te Maungaarongo in Massey before he is taken back to Te Paatu Marae in Pamapuria.
Moe mai, moe mai, moe mai rā e te rangatira
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