Respected Maori advocate Dr Morehu Ngatoko Rahipere has died.
Dr Rahipere was leader and elder of Ngati Ranginui iwi and had been an advocate for the coming together of Maori and non-Maori in the Tauranga Moana region.
Tangi arrangements have now been made to farewell the beloved kaumatua.
Dr Rahipere was honoured as a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Maori.