Poroporoaki: Alexander Phillips CBE, QSM

Kei te köriporipo nga wai o Whanganui i te hinganga o Alexander Phillips, kaumätua rongonui o Mana Ariki, poropiti ki töna kainga, ki töna iwi, tangata hümärie, tangata manaaki.

'The waters of the Whanganui River are churning, at the death of Alex Phillips of Mana Ariki - a prophet to his people, a humble and hospitable man'

Te Tai Hauauru MP Tariana Turia today paid tribute to Alex Phillips, of Mana Ariki marae, who passed away this week aged 90 years.

“Alex was well-known around the motu, as leader of the community of Te Kotahitanga at Mana Ariki, on the banks of the Ongarue River west of Taumarunui,” said Mrs Turia.

“He was renowned as a man of wisdom and insight, he had a strong following as a healer and prophet, and was well respected as a rangatira manaaki i te iwi.

“Over the years, Alex has made a huge contribution, to Mana Ariki and Te Kotahitanga, and to the wider community of spiritual leadership among Maori,” she said.

“He was one of those people whose role was widely recognised among iwi, but whose name will barely be known outside Maori circles. His death will undoubtedly be a blow to Mana Ariki, but the people are strong, and I know they will find a way to carry on,” Mrs Turia said.

Heoi, e te rangatira, haere, haere, haere ki te po.