A busload of mourners was this morning travelling from Hastings to the East Coast as Ngati Kahungunu pay their respects to Ngati Porou leader Apirana Mahuika, who died at his home in the Gisborne suburb of Kaiti yesterday.
Dr Mahuika, who was 80, is lying in state at Rahui Marae, Tikitiki. A bus leaving Hastings' Waipatu Marae at 1am was expected to arrive for the mourners to be called on to the marae about 8am.
Known as "Api," Dr Mahuika was a highly regarded leader by Ngati Kahungunu. "Api will long be remembered for his unwaivering commitment to his people, Ngati Porou," the iwi says. "His staunch passion for maintaining the mana motuhake of Ngati Porou in all aspects was admired throughout New Zealand."
Ngati Kahungunu chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana, who was on the bus, said Dr Mahuika was an on old boy of Te Aute College in Central Hawke's Bay and "never forgot that connection with the area.
"We always joked that he may have gotten his rich blood in Ngati Porou, but he got his brains in Ngati Kahungunu," said Mr Tomoana, who has been in his position about the same length of time as Dr Mahuika has headed the Ngati Porou organisation.