Maori Party pays tribuate to Kaumatua Rima Edwards
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(Source Waatea News) Ngapuhi and Muriwhenua iwi are mourning the loss of tribal scholar and leader Rima Edwards, who died on Sunday.
Mr Edwards was chair of Te Runanga o Muriwhenua, which coordinated the claims of people belonging to the five northernmost iwi.
It was his evidence that led the Waitangi Tribunal to find that in many early land transactions in the far north, what occurred was not a sale but a conditional grant of occupation and use rights.
MP and former Muriwhenua claim researcher Shane Jones says Mr Edwards was also valued for his knowledge of the teachings of the Ngapuhi prophet, Aperehama Taonui, a founder of the Kotahitanga movement.
Although he was only in his mid-60s, everyone knew that his knowledge of the language, the culture, and in particular the genealogy and the ancient history were peerless for someone of his time, Mr Jones says.
Rima Edwards tangi is at Omanaia Marae in South Hokianga.
Ka iri rangitia nga taukokohu ki Tapikitu me Wherahia
Hotu kau noa a Ngati Hau a Ngati Kaharau
Mapu kau ra nga hua takanga roimata me nga hupe
Koia nei matou kawai hononga ki te Wai tai me te Wai Maori
Tu rarangi ai a Puke Haua, a Puke Huia
Tu noa nei a Whakatau me Horotiu
Ae raka, Koi na te mihia a Te Piiti te wahi takahi a te Rongopai
E pa! Hoki wairua ki te hunga nunumi o nga mano, o nga tini
Whakawhetutia i te tirohanga atu
Takoto, takoto, takoto nei
We will miss you uncle….Love you heaps!!!Big awhi from Dad.
There is no other in the Maori World like our Rangatira Rima Edwards. He lived very much a Rangatira, from his people and for his people. Unfortunately, and sadly so, he died for his Maori people. An absolute Rangatira. Moe mai e te rangatira, moe mai, moe mai, moe mai i waenganui i o tatou tupuna.
Truly a great tree has fallen
A huge loss for Maoridom, he will be missed.