The death of Maori leader Eru Thompson has brought tributes from Auckland Mayor Len Brown who called him a central figure to cultural development in the city's west and south.
Mr Thompson was kaumatua of Te Kawerau a Maki and adviser to the former Waitakere City Council and later Auckland Council.
He was also part of the delegation that officially opened Maori Television and he helped to form one of the first community groups to battle the drug methamphetamine.
He lies in state at Tamaki Makaurau Marae in Ihumatao, Mangere and the funeral will be at Pukaki Cemetery on Saturday.
