Late last year Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated's deputy chairman and Wairoa Maori leader Rill (Riwai) Meihana passed away suddenly in his home at Nuhaka in Northern Hawke's Bay.
A three-times election challenger to the chairmanship of long-term iwi leader Ngahiwi Tomoana, he was into his eighth year on the iwi board and was chairman of the board of Wairoa Taiwhenua.
Under Rill's leadership, the Wairoa Taiwhenua Board supported whanau, marae, local events, rangatahi initiatives and their environmental work in the Wairoa community.
He was passionate about his community and represented whanau, hapu and iwi on a number of local and regional committees.
"Rill was a staunch advocate for Kahungunu and 'an abrupt to the point leader' who maintained the mana of Kahungunu 24/7," said Mr Tomoana.