An anti-smoking organisation is keen to see who will be the next champion to pick up from Tariana Turia and lead the fight to ban smoking.
Quitline CEO Paula Snowden Photo: RNZ
The telephone line support group Quitline says if it wasn't for people such as Mrs Turia, Hone Harawira and Shane Bradbrook to get the government to look at its health policies there wouldn't have been an inquiry which lead to tobacco reforms.
Quitline Chief Executive Paula Snowden said New Zealand and Maoridom needs another person to take up the charge and push for the country to become totally smokefree.
She said as the country heads into an election the challenge is find out who will be the next political champion for Maori.
Ms Snowden said she is hoping someone will emerge to pick up the fight where Turia left off because there is more work to be done.
She said New Zealand should be proud of the fact that Maori smoking rates are coming down faster than other indigenous communities around the world.