Ngati Porou historian dies

Mr Dewes' body is lying in state at the Hinerupe Marae in the East Coast settlement of Te Araroa (pictured). File photo / Richard Robinson

Respected Ngati Porou kaumatua and historian, Dr Te Kapunga Matemoana Dewes, otherwise known as 'Koro', has died.

Mr Dewes passed away yesterday at his sister Mereheni's home in Te Araroa on the East Coast. He was 80 years old.

Widely-known for his fierce intellect and his oratory, Mr Dewes had whakapapa links to several Ngati Porou hapu including Te Whanau a Rakairoa, Te Whanau a Hunaara, Te Whanau a Hinerupe, Te Whanau a Te Aopare and Te Whanau a Tuwhakairiora.

Minister of Maori Affairs, Dr Pita Sharples paid tribute to Mr Dewes, saying his prowess in debate was as awe-inspiring as his passion for the Maori language and the many issues surrounding.

"He was an iconoclast, whose arguments drew on his deep knowledge of whakapapa and tradition, his fearless intellectual rigour, mastery of oral arts, and provocative sense of humour," said Dr Sharples.

"Koro was a partisan rather than a diplomat, who inspired commitment and dedication to Maori language issues among a generation of younger leaders, including his children and grandchildren, who have helped to transform the outlook for te reo Maori."

In 2004, the former teacher, lecturer and academic's achievements were recognised when Mr Dewes was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Literature by Victoria University of Wellington, where he had taught for many years.

Dr Sharples said Mr Dewes had been an inspiration for Maori language activists and for indigenous peoples around the world.

He leaves behind his children, Cathy, Whaimutu and Campbell, their partners, children and mokopuna and his two sisters Mereheni Waitoa and Heni Torori Dewes-Porter.

Mr Dewes' body is lying in state at Hinerupe Marae in Te Araroa.

His funeral service will be held on Friday 20 August at 11am and he will be laid to rest at Tangata Hapuku urupa in Horoera.

No reira e te papa, e te kaka wahanui, e te puna o te matauranga Ngati Porou, haere. Okioki ki roto i nga ringa o to Kaihanga.