Another totara falls

Sir Paul Reeves, New Zealand's first Maori Governor General has died at the age of 78. The Herald reports:

Sir Paul Reeves, an Anglican archbishop who became New Zealand's first Maori Governor-General, has died. He was 78.

A statement issued by Sir Paul's family in July said he had been diagnosed with cancer and was stepping back from most aspects of public life.

He died overnight.

Plans are already underway for a State Funeral to honour Sir Paul's lifetime of work for New Zealand.

In a statement this morning, Sir Paul's family acknowledged they were "very aware of the immense grief and loss felt by Maori, the church and the wider community, and there will be time and opportunity for people to pay their respects in the days to come.''

Sir Paul gave a lifetime of service to New Zealand; to Maori and Pakeha alike. Although he was politically well to the left of where we sit, he was respected as a man of absolute integrity. There will be deep sadness today in Maoridom; another mighty totara has fallen.

To those who mourn his passing we say Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui; Arohanui.