I offer my condolences to the whanau of Labour Member of Parliament Parekura Horomia who died on April 29, 2013.
Parekura Horomia was the Member for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti, a former Labour Minister of Maori Affairs and a member of the Labour caucus since 1999.
Parekura has been a stalwart of the East Coast community for decades. He has championed their causes and supported those in need.
I know my colleague, Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson, praised his advocacy for ensuring that, as the rate of Treaty settlements increased, the Crown’s commitments were actively honoured.
The Government had enormous respect for the tireless work Parekura did for Māori, first as Minister, and then as a member of the Māori Affairs Select Committee during a period of increasing workload and important issues.
I am thinking of his whānau at this very sad time. It is difficult to grieve privately when your father, grandfather, brother or uncle was a very public figure.
The Horomia family will take comfort in the achievements of a life well lived and know that he made a difference in the lives of many.”
Parekura Horomia was aged 62 and was a widower with three sons.
John Key is Prime Minister of New Zealand. Read Labour Leader David Shearer’s tribute in this Section.
