KEY POINTS:
Noted Maori doctor Paratene Ngata died on Monday in Gisborne at the age of 62.
The Gisborne Herald reported that "Dr Pat", as he was known, died after a long battle with lung cancer.
Dr Ngata, a great-great nephew of the celebrated Maori leader Sir Apirana Ngata, was made a Distinguished Fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners last year.
Yesterday, the college called him an "influential" GP and an "inspirational" leader.
"He recognised the importance of delivering quality care to his people," a statement from the college said.
"He recruited, cajoled and drove East Coast doctors through membership of the college and on to the educational pathway to fellowship."
The college noted Dr Ngata worked as a GP in Tolaga Bay for more than 13 years.
"His inspirational leadership at so many levels, to children, to wide-eyed medical students, and to medical colleagues supported the establishment and subsequent growth of the college's Maori Faculty, Te Akoranga a Maui.
Tariana Turia, Associate Minister of Health, also lauded Dr Ngata's work yesterday.
He had been at the forefront of public health advocacy since his graduation from Otago Medical School in 1970 "and his impact in influencing the nature of Maori healthcare has been profound".
Mrs Turia added he had a "burning passion for Maori public health".
She said he also played a significant role in the campaign to end violence in families and communities and noted Haimona Ngata, one of his sons, fronts the "It's not OK" campaign.
Dr Ngata was given a Ngati Porou Achievement Award in 2000 and was named Public Health Champion of the Year the same year.
He was a trustee of the New Zealand Institute of Rural Health and served as director of Midland Regional Health Authority 1991-95. He was awarded an honorary doctor of laws in 2004 by Otago University.
Dr Ngata is survived by his wife, Ngaroma, and four sons.
- NZPA
