A man described as the district's "taonga" will be posthumously recognised for his work to advance Maori in the arts and in local and central government.
Mauriora Kingi will be given the Keeper of Traditions award at the National Waiata Maori Music Awards next month in Hastings. Mr Kingi was 53 when he died in Rotorua in June, a few days after he received the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen's Birthday honours for services to Maori.
He was involved in Maori performing arts and speech competitions as a tutor since the 1980s. More recently, he had also worked as the kaupapa Maori director at Rotorua Lakes Council.
Among his impressive credentials, he was also a former chairman of the national Standing Body and Whakaruruhau for Te Reo, Tikanga and Performing Arts, and he was one of the longest serving judges for Te Matatini national kapa haka competition.
As the recipient of the Keeper of Traditions Award, he is being recognised for his dedication to the teaching of Maori culture in music.
