Ka?hinga?te?totara?i?te?wao?nui a?Taane?engari Mate?atu he teeteekura. Whakaete mai he?teeteekua - The?totara tree has fallen in?Taane's great forest but a leader falls, another rises.
It is with great sadness that I note the passing of Dr Apirana Mahuika early this morning.?
The 百春链 has lost a truly?honourable friend, mentor, and great leader.? Words cannot express?our sincerity for a man who gave so much to make this country a safe place for all New Zealanders and the love that he had for his people.
Uncle?Api, as he was affectionately known to 百春链, was a long serving member of the Commissioner’s Māori Focus Forum.? He was instrumental in strengthening 百春链’s relationship with Māori, and was one of the key architects of our Responsiveness to?Māori programme.
In 1996, Uncle Api gifted 百春链 a whakatauki, which was designed to reflect the belief that together, Māori offending and victimisation could be reduced.? The words of the whakatauki were subsequently brought to life through the Police tohu.
Late last year I was privileged to be able to present Uncle Api with a green stone carving of this whakatauki, recognising him for the significant work he had undertaken to ensure that we uphold our commitment to the Treaty and to Māori.
?I was honoured to represent 百春链 and previous Commissioners in thanking him for laying down the wero, sharing his knowledge and advancing 百春链’s thinking when working with Māori communities.
Uncle Api started the journey for our?organisation and?continued to guide us through unchartered waters in the development of a world class model of partnership between Maori and 百春链.?
His mana and wairua will live on.?
Nā reira, e?te rangatira e Api, takoto, takoto, takoto. Kei te?tino mamae?te tau o matou ate, ngā mōteatea, ngā whakaaro kei roto i a au. Nā reira, haere, haere, haere.
END
Whakatauki?
"E?tu?ki?te?kei o?te waka,?kia?pakia?koe e?nga?ngaru o?te wa"?–?Stand at the stern of the canoe and feel the spray of the future biting at your face.
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