Tuhoe kaumatua Tawhao Tioke is being remembered as man of religion, a healer, a gifted musician and a man steeped in his tribe's language and culture.
Mr Tioke died on Tuesday in North Shore Hospital at the age of 89, Waatea News reports.
His relative, Hemana Waaka, says he was widely known for his encyclopaedic knowledge of the ngahere (forest) and of rongoa (traditional healing plants).
The Presbyterian minister was also an accomplished dance band musician.
Tawhao Tioke is lying in state at Papakura Marae until Friday.
