Te Arawa mourns kaumatua

Te Arawa is in mourning over the loss of another leader and strong advocate for at-risk young people.
Ngati Pikiao kaumatua, Putu Mihaka, died at the weekend.
Mr Mihaka, who was a strong advocate of Maori rangatahi (young people), collapsed at the Tangatarua Marae at Waiariki Institute of Technology on Friday.
The 59-year-old was taken to Rotorua Hospital where he died on Saturday night.
He was surrounded by friends and family.
St John district operations manager Norm Riedinger said Mr Mihaka had suffered a cardiac arrest.
Mr Riedinger said he arrived at Waiariki to find bystanders and a nurse from the polytech performing CPR before he took over.
Waiariki kaumatua Ken Kennedy said that it was a huge loss for Rotorua.
"People are devastated that he's gone."
Mr Kennedy said Mr Mihaka wanted to help young people who had fallen through the cracks.
"He wanted to teach them the proper way," he said.
"He was very knowledgeable."
Mr Kennedy said Mr Mihaka had special leadership qualities and a passion for teaching young people.
"There was just something about him."
Although it was sad for Te Arawa to lose another high profile leader - following the recent deaths of Sir Howard Morrison, Arapeta Tahana, Bully Kingi and Hawea Vercoe - Mr Kennedy said the iwi would be strong and look to the future.
"We have a whakatauki in Te Arawa which goes 'Ka hinga atu he tete-kura - ka hara-mai he tete-kura.'
"It basically means although we have lost a leader another will take his place."
Mr Mihaka played significant roles in organisations like Te Waiariki Purea Trust, which used recreational activities to help guide young people.
Trust administrator Kelley Korau said Mr Mihaka had outstanding commitment and dedication to youth in Rotorua.
He was heavily involved with the waka community (waka ama, waka kopapa, waka tangata, waka taua) and was on the advisory committee for social work programmes at Waiariki.
Mr Mihaka was also involved with Te Arawa Community Trust Board and founded Te Arawa Journey - a preventative youth work programme involving outdoor pursuits and teaching life skills.
He advocated tirelessly to promote a crime-free lifestyle for local youth.
Ms Korau said Mr Mihaka was the co-ordinator and koeke (cultural adviser) of the trust.
"It will be difficult to find someone to fill his shoes."
Ms Korau said she had worked alongside Mr Mihaka for the trust and within the waka ama community for 15 years.
She said they were a tight-knit whanau and Mr Mihaka's death was a huge shock.
"We're deeply saddened by what has happened and our aroha and tautoko go out to the family at this time.
Mr Mihaka would have celebrated his 60th birthday next month.
Mr Kennedy said Mr Mihaka left behind a legacy of well brought-up children - sons Kiwhare, Rehua and Hoani, daughter Maia, and mokopuna.
"That's not something you're going to lose," he said.
He also leaves behind his wife, Rotu Mihaka.
Mr Mihaka is lying at Hohowai Marae, Mourea and the funeral will be at Te Takinga Marae, Mourea at 11am tomorrow.
As a mark of respect, Te Waiariki Purea Trust will close its doors tomorrow to attend the funeral.