Hundreds of people have been through Omahu marae in Hastings over the past couple of days to pay tribute to Tuahine Joe Northover, who died on Wednesday.
Jeremy McLeod, the director of te reo and tikanga for Ngati Kahungunu Incorporated, says Mr Northover, who was 83, came originally from Te Whanau a Rakairoa hapu of Ngati Porou in Waipiro Bay.
After moving to Hawkes Bay in the 1950s, he served on many tribal and community groups and became one of Ngati kahungunu's leading orators.
Waatea News reports the funeral service for Mr Northover is at 11am on Saturday at Omahu marae.
