Senior Whakatane Maori academic drowns

A senior member of Whakatane's Maori university, Mark Laws, drowned yesterday at the East Cape settlement of Te Kaha.

Dr Laws, 52, was an associate professor at Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi.

He was diving for paua about 8am off the beach at Te Kaha when he died, family spokesman Pouroto Ngaropo said.

Dr Laws was holidaying with family and staying in a home owned by prominent Ngati Awa identity Sir Harawira Gardiner.

"This is just terrible. I don't know how else to describe it. Everyone is sad and upset," Mr Ngaropo said.

Dr Laws' body was taken to Tauranga for an autopsy yesterday.

He held a PhD in information science from the University of Otago and in 2004 was the founding head of the wananga's computer information science and technology faculty.

Dr Laws is survived by his wife, Karina, three children, and five grandchildren.

He was recently appointed the Ngati Awa representative on Whakatane District Council's iwi liaison committee. He had also helped develop a community-based diabetes online programme in conjunction with Bay of Plenty District Health Board.

Born and raised in Kawerau, Dr Laws lectured at Otago University for many years before returning to Whakatane, Mr Ngaropo said.

Dr Laws' body will lie at Iramoko Marae from Sunday, and his funeral will be held there on Monday.

- NZPA