Nick Hill, Chief Executive of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, acknowledges the sad passing of a great leader, kaumātua and rangatira, Dr Joseph Parata Hohepa (Joe) Hawke.
“We extend our aroha to his whānau and to the people of Ōrākei and Ngāti Whātua; and to everyone whose lives Joe touched. Joe was a mighty totara, a pou and beacon for whenua Māori rights and for the enrichment and legal empowerment of his people.
“His life and his service to Māori and the community – as an activist, businessman, Member of Parliament, and an honoured Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit – will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.
“We acknowledge the aspirations Joe had for the economic and cultural wellbeing of not only his own people but for all of Tāmaki Makaurau. As Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, we take inspiration from Joe’s legacy as we continue our mahi to enrich cultural and economic life in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.”
Photo: NgātiWhātua Ōrākei Whai Maia Facebook
E kī ana te kōrero, “He ai tā te tangata, he huna mai nā Hine-nui-te-pō”
Nō reira, hāro atu rā tō rere e te Kāhu o te Rangi
Whakatopa atu rā ki te matatihi o te rangi, ki te matataha o te rangi
Kia haku ai tō rahi, kia auē ai tō iwi
Te mūrau o te tini, te wenerau o te mano
Te ihi o te rangi, te wehi o te whenua,
Te wana o Tumutumuwhenua, te tapu o Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei
E te whakatuatea, te purapura tuawhiti, te rangatira e Joe,
Haere, haere, hārō atu rā e Kāhu e.