August 24, 2023
Iwi champions strong characters
Hauraki Waikato MP Nanaia Mahuta says the deaths of two prominent Māori leaders is a chance to reflect on the work they have done taking forward the aspirations of their people.
Ngāti Awa and Te Arawa kaumata Waaka Vercoe died yesterday in Whakatane after a short illness.
He was 81, and still serving in governance and advisory positions on a number of Māori land trusts and enterprises.
Former Ngāi Tai ki Tamaki chair James Brown was two decades younger, and was heading its land development arm after steering the iwi through the treaty settlement process.
Ms Mahuta says he was a force for change in the super city.
“My experience of him was in matters relating to Tāmaki Makaurau, the advancement of claims but also how hapū and iwi within the Tāmaki Makaurau rohe establish their presence, identity and influence on the way that great city is evolving, and he was a strong figure and character, I’m sure he will be missed,” she says.
Waaka Vercoe will be taken to Tu Teao Marae, Te Teko this afternoon, while James Brown is expected at Umupuia Marae on Saturday.