The people of Ngati Tuwharetoa and others throughout the country are mourning the loss of one the iwi's young leaders, Dean Stebbing.
The 37-year-old held many influential positions within his iwi, including chief executive of Ngati Tuwharetoa Fisheries Charitable Trust and an adviser to the iwi's trust board.
More recently, he held the position of Kaawai Rautaki at Contact Energy where he was responsible for carrying out iwi liaison work.
Colin Rangi, of Ngati Tuwharetoa, says Mr Stebbing will be remembered at a tribal level because of the economic projects he spearheaded and nationally for his liaison work.
He says Mr Stebbing carried a lot of vision on his young shoulders and the people of his iwi are mourning the loss of his ability and personality.
Mr Stebbing died of a heart attack and is lying at Nukuhau Marae, near Taupo.
