Anglican priest and child advocate Dr Hone Kaa has died after a short battle with cancer.
Dr Kaa (
Ngati Porou) died at
Auckland Hospital last night, surrounded by whanau.
He will lie at the
Holy Sepulchre Church on
Khyber Pass Rd in
Auckland late this afternoon, where he will remain until Sunday morning.
A requiem mass will be held at Holy Sepulchre at 5pm on Saturday.
On Sunday morning his body will be taken to Hinepare Marae,
Rangitukia, on the
East Cape.
Dr Kaa will be buried at Okaroro urupa on Tuesday morning.
Over 50 years Dr Kaa had an extensive career that included parish ministry, broadcasting, local and international activism, teaching and child advocacy.
His contribution to the church, Maori development, tino rangatiratanga, international social justice issues and the rights of Maori children has been profound.
Dr Kaa also pursued a lifelong commitment to indigenous theological, intellectual and academic excellence.
As Anglican Archdeacon of
Tamaki Makaurau, Dr Kaa oversaw two Auckland pastorates.
In spite of deteriorating health, he attended the recent High
Court trial of the 'Urewera Four' to show his on-going commitment to social justice.