Tributes flowing for cultural leader

Tama Huata was the "heart" of his whanau and made massive contributions to the promotion of Maori culture on the world stage.

A man synonymous with the promotion of Maori performing arts will be laid to rest on Sunday.

Tama Huata, 64, passed away at his Napier home, surrounded by loved ones, on Wednesday morning.

His whanau called him their "heart" and released a statement on Facebook this week.

"[He] is survived by his lifelong soulmate Pukepuke Tangiora (Tangi) and children Ellison Mihiroa Tomoana, Narelle Karanema and Ariki Tama Turanga Huata," it read.

At yesterday's Hastings District Council meeting, a minute's silence was observed for Mr Huata, followed by a farewell speech from Councillor Henare O'Keefe.

Mayor Lawrence Yule described Mr Huata as "revolutionary in his promotion of the performing arts".

He is perhaps best known for starting Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre in 1983 in Hastings, as a way of introducing traditional Maori performing arts to the world stage.

The group continues to tour 30 years on, often performing for VIP guests, at government functions and travelling the globe to spread cultural understanding.

Winston Peters labelled Mr Huata an "irreplaceable" leader who uplifted all those around him.

"He was a trailblazer for Maori arts and culture in contemporary New Zealand, and would not have achieved all that he did without the intense passion he held for his people and culture," the NZ First leader said. "His legacy remains in the music and art he created with the community around him."

Another of Mr Huata's successes was the National Waiata Maori Music Awards, launched at Hawke's Bay Opera House in 2007 with the aim of recognising the talent of Maori singers, performers, writers and kaumatua kapa haka.

In recent years, he organised the triennial international Takitimu Festival, highlighting history of Takitimu waka and its connection with people throughout the Pacific.

During the 1980s he formed Takitimu Trust, followed by Te Wananga Whare Tapere o Takitimu, the first institution to offer a degree in traditional Maori performing arts.

He was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2006, recognising 35 years' service to Maori performing arts, and was internationally recognised as an expert in indigenous arts. His role as chairman of the Ngati Kahungunu Runanga Arts and Culture Board saw him steer Ngati Kahungunu's performing arts initiatives. Work there encompassed preparations for Ngati Kahungunu to host a Te Matatini 2017 event.

Mr Huata was a member of the Ngati Kahungunu Taumata, offering cultural direction for the iwi, where he worked alongside the likes of former Maori Party co-leader Dr Pita Sharples, Professor Piri Sciascia and Dr Rangimarie Turuki Pere.

He also fronted Nga Marae o Heretaunga, a gathering of 16 marae leaders whose first achievement was Nga Pou o Heretaunga in 2013, a series of carved pou designed and made by each marae erected side-by-side in Hastings Civic Square.

Mr Huata was the third son of the late Ringahora Heni Ngakai Ybelle Tomoana and Canon Wi Te Tau Huata, who was known for his service as an Anglican priest with the Maori Battalion.

Cars packed the area around Waipatu Marae in Hastings, where he lay yesterday, before being moved to Mihiroa Marae in Pakipaki today. Mr Huata will remain there until 11am on Sunday, when he will be laid to rest at Whenuakura Urupa, Pakipaki.