Te Ao Māori mourns loss of tikanga Māori exponent Muriwai Ihakara

Monday, 10 January 2022

Māoridom is mourning the loss of Muriwai Ihakara, who has died following a long illness.

He was 64.

Muriwai was not only a well-known figure within his tribal boundaries but throughout the country, through his decades-long involvement in kapa haka, judging at the prestigious Te Matatini competition as well as leading his kapa haka group, Te Hikuwai, to the nationals in 2017.

He served as Te Tumu Whakahaere Māori of Creative New Zealand – the NZ Arts Council for 14 years as a proponent of kapa haka, reo, and tikanga.

**READ MORE:

* Te Matatini postponed again, to 2023

* Tikanga Māori must guide climate adaptation strategies for Aotearoa, new research project finds

* 'Taihoa', 'Haere' – first te reo Māori road traffic signs make an impact

**

Muriwai was employed as the Kia Mākino Cultural Facilitator at the Ngāti Makino Iwi Authority.

He was the former chair of Te Kura o Rotoiti, a former member of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Pikiao, and chaired Te Awhe Marae – Maketū, Ngāti Pikiao Ahurei, and as the chair of Te Pūkenga Kōeke o Pikiao, led tribal elders in maintaining whakapapa relationships with other iwi through tangihanga, poukai, koroneihana and other major tribal kaupapa.

Muriwai actively supported marae throughout Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Makino, and other tribal marae. He was also instrumental in the re-establishment of Te Hautapu Umukohukohu Whetū, the Matariki traditions within Ngāti Pikiao,

Muriwai is lying in state on his marae of Wai-iti in Rotoiti, Te Arawa, and will be buried on Wednesday.

E te rangatira, haere, haere, haere atu rā ki te pōuriuri, ki te pōtiwhatiwha, ki te pō ka wheau atu ki te muriwai hōu ki Rarohenga, ki a Hine Tītama e pūtiki mai rā i te kāpunipunitanga o ngā wairua.

This story first appeared on Te Ao – Māori News and has been republished on Stuff with permission.