Source: NorthTec
He maimai aroha
Hohepa Rudolph
Te Uri o Tai, Te Rarawa, Ngati Pakahi, Ngati Kahu
NorthTec mourns passing of Kaumātua Hohepa Rudolph
Kia hiwa ra! Kia hiwa ra!
Kua hinga te totara teitei i te wao nui ā Tāne.
Ko Hohepa Rudolph terā.
Takoto mai e te Mātua i te takotoranga o ngā mātua tupuna.
Tēnei mātou o te Tai Tokerau Wānanga ara ko NorthTec te tangi kau ake.
Haere, haere, haere ra.
NorthTec staff and students are mourning the passing of long-standing Kaumātua, Hohepa Rudolph.
Mātua Hohepa passed away yesterday, Saturday 23rd May, following a lengthy period of illness. His tangihanga will be held from Sunday at Te Puna o te Mātauranga marae on NorthTec’s Raumanga campus.
The whānau pani will stay with Mātua Hohepa on Sunday overnight and mourners will continue to be welcomed onto the marae on Monday. Hohepa will be taken to Pawarenga where he will be laid to finally rest.
The tangihanga will observe all Government requirements due to the current Covid-19 Alert Level.
Mātua Hohepa served as NorthTec’s Kaumātua from December 2008. He was well-loved by staff and students and provided guidance to all.
Ripeka Evans, NorthTec Board Chair, said “Hohepa passes at a time of change and disruption in our communities. His legacy and challenge to us will be to enable a future for our learners while they stay close to home. Noho tata, haere tawhiti.’
Wayne Jackson, Acting Chief Executive, said: “Mātua Hohepa was a valued member of NorthTec’s Senior Leadership Team and acted as a leader around all matters of Tikanga and Te Ao Māori. He led many pōwhiri and other cultural events during his years at NorthTec, and was known for his kindness and generosity with regard to explaining Tikanga and the meaning of Māori ceremonies, especially to our international students and guests.
“He was very well known to staff and was regarded with great fondness by many people, who are now mourning his loss.
“Our thoughts and sympathies are with Mātua Hohepa’s whānau at this time, and with all those people who are filled with sadness over his passing. We are honoured to be able to poroporoaki Mātua Hohepa at Te Puna o te Mātauranga as this reflects our respect for his deeds and his deep connection to NorthTec, its staff and students.”
