March 15, 2019
Rutene Irwin ends a fighting life
The people of Te Aitanga a Māhaki are mourning their rangatira and a giant in the world of Māori farming.
Rūtene Irwin died on Monday in his 93rd year and was buried yesterday at Tapuae o Te Rangi in Mangatū.
For many years Mr Irwin led Mangatū Incorporation, and he gave evidence last year to the Waitangi Tribunal’s Mangatū Remedies Hearing seeking the return of the Mangatū forest.
Te Aitanga a Māhaki member Willie Te Aho says he was also known for his service in J-Force during the Occupation of Japan after World War 2.
"For three years before he went to the war he had been trying to get to the war and got turned away because he was 14 to 16 and eventually went when he was 17. He was a big loss for us and there are a lot of lessons we have to carry on from his passing and one certainly is to complete the Mangatū Claim," he says.
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