Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori sadly acknowledges the passing of one of our leaders Pita Paraone.

We remember his work as a member of Parliament, as a board member and Chair of the Waitangi National Trust and as a leader of Te Taitokerau and Ngāti Hine.

He was also the Chief Executive of the Māori Language Commission, leading the organisation with his relation and Chair, Erima Henare in 2014 before entering Parliament as a New Zealand First MP.

The Board and staff of the Commission send our sincere condolences and aroha to his wife and children.

E te rangatira e Pita, tēnei rā tō whare e mihi nei, e tangi nei ki a koe. Nā reira noho mai hei whetū ki te rangi tiaho mai ai ki tō iwi e mahue ake nei. Moe mai rā i te moenga roa.

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