Maori tertiary students say they are grieving with the rest of New Zealand, following the passing this week of Parekura Horomia.
Te Mana Akonga, the National Maori Tertiary Students' Association, says the former Maori Affairs Minister was a tireless leader and pioneer of Maori development.
It says education was one of Mr Horomia's flagship causes and he was a stalwart supporter of Maori students.
Te Mana Akonga says he fought against Voluntary Student Membership and was instrumental in the pilot of the Special Supplementary Grant (SSG), which was designed to improve student life for Maori and Pacific people with disabilities.
A representative of the association will be attending the tangi on Saturday on behalf of all Maori tertiary students.
