Sir Tumu Te Heuheu, the ariki and paramount chief of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, has died.
In a statement, Te Kapua Whakapipi the Office of the Ariki said he passed peacefully with his wife Lady Susan Te Heuheu and whānau by his side.
Born at Little Waihi on the shores of Lake Taupō to Sir Hepi and Lady Pauline Te Heuheu, he leaves behind a legacy of service to his iwi and to conservation.
Earlier this year, Sir Tumu called for the return of Tongariro National Park to Māori ownership, saying the Crown had not honoured the original gift of the mountains by his ancestor.
He was in his 80s.
He was appointed a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to conservation in 2005, and made a knight in 2009.
rnz.co.nz
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