Black Power founder Reitu Harris dies

Reitu Harris, founding president of Black Power, has died. Photo/Supplied

Reitu Harris, one of the founders of the Black Power gang, has died.

Harris and several others founded Black Power in 1970 in Wellington, originally naming the gang the Black Bulls, according to Te Ara.

Harris, who died on Sunday,established the gang to help other Maori boys who had been in state care and were disconnected from their marae and iwi, Radio New Zealand reported.

He also developed political relationships with politicians Rob Muldoon and Matiu Rata in the 1980s and helped find employment for people living in Wellington, RNZ said.

On Tuesday, Black Power's Wellington chapter took Harris' body to the steps of Parliament, where they performed a haka, RNZ reported.

Hundreds of people have expressed their condolences to Harris' family on social media.

Many talked about times when Harris had helped them - either through small acts of kindness or helping them turn their lives around.

Reitu Harris' funeral will be held on Thursday at Rakeiao Marae in Rotoiti, RNZ said.