Peace festival founder dies

Te Miringa Hohaia shares a hongi with American actor Tom Cruise in New Plymouth in 2003. Photo / Alan Gibson

The director of Taranaki's Parihaka Peace Festival and an advocate for Maori land rights in Taranaki, Te Miringa Hohaia, died suddenly this morning, aged 58.

Friend Jamie Tuuta said Mr Hohaia died of natural causes around 11am.

He was today lying in state at Parihaka.

His death had come as a shock to the family, who were still making funeral arrangements, Mr Tuuta said.

Mr Hohaia was a strong advocate for Maori land rights in Taranaki through the Waitangi Tribunal and Parihaka, he said.

"He was one of the pillars of Parihaka in terms of continuing the legacy of his forbears and others. Te Miringa has touched many people with the work he has done."

Tariana Turia, Maori Party co-leader and MP for the Te Tai Hauauru electorate, which includes Taranaki, expressed her shock and deep sorrow at Mr Hohaia's death.

"This is a terrible loss for the people of Taranaki and the nation. Te Miringa was quite a young man, though his wisdom and depth of experience belied his years.

"We expected to enjoy his advice and guidance for years to come, and to lose him now is such a tragedy."

Mrs Turia said Mr Hohaia led many aspects of Maori life in Taranaki. He was involved in the Motunui claim to the Waitangi Tribunal in 1978, which changed the course of history for the tribunal, and for claimants from every iwi who followed on.

He also helped to drive through the complex Taranaki land claims, with special reference to the pivotal role of Parihaka in the history of Taranaki, she said.

He was also an advocate for the arts -- curating the exhibition "Parihaka: The Art of Passive Resistance".

Mr Hohaia was instrumental in setting up Taranaki's Parihaka Peace Festival in 2005. The festival is on hold next year after going into the red this year. Organisers are working on ways to make it viable.

- NZPA