Ngapuhi Hapu Mourns Inspirational Rangatira

Te Kotahitanga o Nga Hapu Ngapuhi offers its condolences on the passing of inspirational rangatira Dr Ranginui Walker of Te Whakatohea.

Te Kotahitanga adds its voice to those who remember one of Maoridom’s finest.

Co-chair Rudy Taylor says Dr Walker will be deeply missed. He was a man of mana, he truly embraced what it is to be a rangatira not just for our people but all New Zealanders.

“Ranginui’s knowledge and questioning of what he called our one sided history was instrumental in the Waitangi Tribunal’s finding that Ngapuhi did not cede sovereignty.

For that Ngapuhi owes him our thanks.

“As another great leader the late Sir James Henare said, we have gone too far not to go further and we have done too much not to do more.”

Co-chair Pita Tipene says in the current hearings in the Ngapuhi - Te Paparahi o Te Raki Inquiry - which is ongoing, his presence and thirst for understanding Ngapuhi history, understanding our past grievances will be sorely missed.

“We are saddened by the loss of this esteemed academic, an inspirational leader who the people of Ngapuhi loved and respected. A giant totara has fallen in the forest and the reverberations will be felt by all.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his whanau at this sad time.”

Moe mai ra e te rangatira, moe mai, moe mai.

ENDS

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