Anaru Rangiheuea led the charge to save the Whakarewarewa geyser field. Photo: NZME / Rotorua Daily Post / Stephen Parker
Anaru Rangiheuea, one of the most senior kaumātua of Te Arawa, has died at the age of 88.
A descendant of Tūhourangi, Ngāti Wāhiao, Ngāti Tarāwhai, Ngāti Awa and Ngāti Manawa, he played a pivotal role in the region's Treaty settlements and in securing the return of the Rotorua Lakes to iwi ownership.
Before that, Rangiheuea led the charge to save the Whakarewarewa geyser field in what became known as the "bore wars" which saw all bores within 1.5km of the area closed.
He was a member of the Te Arawa Trust board for 30 years, including six as chairperson.
Anaru Rangiheuea received the Insignia of a Companion of the NZ Order of Merit on 23 September 2008. Photo: Government House / Photography By Woolf
In 2008, he was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori and the community.
Anaru Rangiheuea will lie at Te Pakira Marae in Whakarewarewa until the burial service on Sunday.