Maoridom gathers to farewell elder statesman

By JON STOKES

Thousands are expected at Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia over the next three days to mourn the loss of one of Maori royalty's most revered leaders.

Tumate Mahuta, 86, an uncle of the Maori Queen, Dame Te Atairangikaahu, and described as the elder statesman of the Kingitanga movement, died yesterday following a short illness.

He was seen as a strong advocate following in the footsteps of his aunt, Princess Te Puea Herangi.

He was regarded among Tainui and throughout Maoridom as a "quiet general", shunning publicity but working in the background to ensure tribal work was done and the royal affairs maintained.

A leading tribal member said Mr Mahuta was never vocal on issues, "but ensured his thoughts were known".

"He is one of those rare leaders that will never be seen again."

Tainui chairman Kingi Porima said thousands from the "tribes of the four corners" were expected at his tangihanga.

"This is a sad day for Tainui, and for Maoridom. He is a man second in mana only to the Maori Queen."

Tainui kaumatua and former iwi chairman Hare Puke described Mr Mahuta as the mana of Tainui.

"In terms of the blood line, his status among all Maori is that of tino rangatira [high chief]."

Mr Mahuta was first cousin and confidant of the last Maori King, Koroki, grandson of the third Maori King, Mahuta, and nephew of King Te Rata and Princess Te Puea.

Huntly-based Mr Mahuta was educated at St Stephen's College for Maori boys in Bombay, and worked most of his life dairy farming, milking 600 cows on his farm in Hukanui, while also managing the Tainui tribe's farms throughout the Waikato.