20 September, 2006

Waitakere Remembers Sir Hugh

Waitakere City's Deputy Mayor Carolynne Stone says New Zealand Aotearoa is poorer for having lost one of its great Maori leaders, Sir Hugh Kawharu.

Councillor Stone paid tribute to Sir Hugh as a man of great dignity and mana who will be remembered for his compassion, intelligence and unflinching commitment to helping Maori.

"We may have lost Sir Hugh's physical presence but his work and achievements will live on," she says.

Deputy Mayor Stone says Waitakere would send condolences to both Sir Hugh's family and Ngati Whatua .

Waitakere City Councillor Carl Harding worked with Sir Hugh at the Auckland War Memorial Museum for several years and says he "learned a great deal about our history from him."

"New Zealand has lost a great man - a great Totara and his loss is not just to Maoridom but the whole country," says Cr Harding.

Among his many achievements, Sir Hugh was a principal negotiator for Ngati Whatua ki Orakei Maori Trust Board in their Waitangi claim to the Crown.

Representatives from Waitakere City Council are attending Sir Hugh's tangi at Orakei Marae.

***ENDS***

© Scoop Media