Iconic New Zealander - Maori to his core

The passing of iconic New Zealander, poet Hone Tuwhare, is a loss that traverses culture and will reverberate with all New Zealanders.

National's Maori Affairs spokeswoman, Georgina te Heuheu, has joined the chorus of accolades to the great artist, writer and poet who died aged 86 in Dunedin yesterday.

Mrs te Heuheu says "Hone Tuwhare's appeal was universal. He was respected and adored in all circles, yet it was his quintessential Maori heart that was at the core of his writing.

"Hone Tuwhare will be remembered for his unprecedented talent and achievements, but his true legacy will be the cultural bridge he built with those gifts.

"In his poem 'Rain'*, Hone Tuwhare wrote about how a physical presence was not necessary to celebrate an existence. His life will be a case in point."

* Excerpt from 'Rain'
But if I
should not hear
smell or feel or see
you

you would still
define me
disperse me
wash over me
rain