Former Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia says the deaths of three great rangatira show that a significant generational shift in leadership is happening.
Mr Horomia says Sir Archie Taiaroa from Te Atihaunui-aa-Paapaarangi, Jim Nicholls from Hauraki and Darcy Ria from Rongowhakaata can be seen as members of a bridge generation.
"They were between the real old people and (the) moving into the new," he said.
Mr Nicholls, who was deputy chair of the New Zealand Maori Council, died on Sunday at the age of 70.
His funeral was held at St George's Anglican Church in Thames on Thursday.
Waatea News reports Sir Archie's funeral is at 10am on Saturday in Taumarunui. He died on Tuesday aged 73.
Noo reira e te mokopuna o te awa tiipua me ngaa karangatanga iwi, 'aere e 'oki, aa kaati, moe mai raa.