Tributes are pouring in for Percy Marunui Murphy, the first Maori Mayor in New Zealand and Ngati Manawa's last remaining 28th Maori Battalion warrior, who died at the weekend.
Waatea News reports many people are paying their respects at Rangitahi marae to the man who lost a leg fighting in World War II.
Maori Council member and Ngati Manawa kaumatua Maanu Paul said Mr Murphy was very much a pacifist who became a very astute businessman.
Mr Murphy will be buried on Wednesday at his hapu cemetery of Ngati Hui.
