A ceremony has been held on Lake Rotoiti near Rotorua to mark the first anniversary of the death of school principal and Bay of Plenty regional councillor Hawea Vercoe.
The memorial began with a pōwhiri at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rotoiti, followed by the unveiling and blessing of a memorial garden.
A floating wetland, which will provide habitat for wildlife and also filter pollution, was launched from Lake Rotoiti.
Mr Vercoe, a well-known Maori leader, died after being kicked in the head outside a bar in Whakatane last year.
