John Barry Heperi-Smith Photo: Paul Taylor / NZME
Former deputy chair of Ngāti Kahungunu John Barry Heperi-Smith has been returned to his Rākautātahi Marae.
Heperi-Smith died over the weekend, aged 58. He is lying in state at his marae at Takapau, ahead of burial on Tuesday.
He was in his fourth term as a board member of Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated, first elected in 2013. He was in his second term as deputy-chairperson.
Heperi-Smith was raised in Takapau, in central Hawke's Bay, surrounded by his kuia, koroua, aunties and uncles, in a strong cultural setting around the marae.
He started his career as a butcher, before moving into teaching, much of that time at Te Aute College.
In the early 1980s, he was one of the first graduates of Tā Pita Sharples' mau rakau programme.
Last year, Heperi-Smith worked for as a senior cultural advisor for the Hawke's Bay District Health Board before moving into a senior management role in the health reforms.
In a statement from Ngāti Kahungunu, he was quoted from a past interview saying he strived to served his people.
"My goals have always been to strengthen our distinctive culture and language, to drive and nurture education as the forefront of our success, and to seek every opportunity in order for the next generation to prosper and flourish," he said.