Te Hikitū hapū of Hokianga are gathering in Whirinaki to mourn a kaumatua who did so much to draw the community together.
MP Marama Davidson says the death of Nia Wikaira is a big loss to the valley.
He was known for his concern for young people, including those getting into trouble.
“Him and my auntie, they started the kapa haka, they ran the netball practices, they took us to all the other marae around Hokianga and Taitokerau when there was other hui happening, they connected us to awesome things and they really instilled in us a sense of belonging to Whirinaki and how proud we should be of that,” Ms Davidson says.
Marama Davidson says Nia Wikaira also held the histories and stories of the iwi and was called on to give evidence to hearings and tribunals.
