‘Leading light’ John Chadwick dies

John Te Manihera Chadwick receiving his New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori and the law from former Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae in 2016. Photo: gg.govt.nz

The Māori Party is mourning the loss of one of Rotorua's staunchest advocates, John Te Manihera Chadwick, MNZM.

John, the husband of Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick, died suddenly in Rotorua Hospital on Friday afternoon. He was 72.

John will lie at his home in Kawaha Point until Monday morning and then will be taken to lie in Tamatekapua meeting house at Te Papa-i-ō-Uru in Ohinemutu before his funeral service on Tuesday.

Māori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell says tributes are pouring in from every part of the community, the wider legal profession, and whānau and friends, to honour the significant contribution of 'one of Rotorua's leading lights”.

'That is only appropriate, given the thousands of lives this wonderful man touched. John was a staunch advocate for our rangatahi, in and out of the courtroom, and he mentored generations of Māori lawyers and other community professionals who beat a path to his door.”

With a 'sharp tongue and even sharper mind”, Te ururoa says John could articulate a point of view with a style that very few possess.

'Because of these innate qualities, his submissions, whether in front of the judge or during the oral hearings on the proposed Te Arawa Partnership model, were legendary, and his influence will be carved in to the memories of those who were privileged to see him in full flight, for years to come.”

Fellow Māori Party co-leader Marama Fox says John had been at the forefront of community led initiatives in a relentless pursuit of justice for those least able to access it.

He had also served community for decades as a member of Te Waiariki Purea Trust, the Rotorua District Community Law Centre and the Tumahaurangi Trust.

John was also the founding president of the Māori Law Society, Te Hunga Roia Māori and served on numerous national bodies and advisory groups during his long career as a Māori lawyer, adds Marama.

'Through his many achievements, John filled us all with pride and he was an inspiration to many throughout his life, in so many areas. When he received his New Year's Honour in 2016, he reflected on all the pro bono work he had done for clients over the years.

'That selfless service for which he never sought recognition, was one of the many reasons I was so proud to promote him through the Honours nominations process.”

But Marama believes John's greatest contribution was as a husband, father and koro.

'The Māori Party expresses our sincere condolences to our Mayor for Rotorua Stevie, their three tamariki Hana, Eli and Rama, and their mokopuna and wider whānau.

'John has been at Stevie's side for the good part of nearly half a century, her back bone and her constant and our hearts go out to her and the whānau.

'To this trailblazing son of Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Wai o Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Whatuiapiti and Ngāti Rangikoianake, we tip our hats to this special person who was a gentleman and a scholar; a fierce advocate and supporter; and a man greatly loved by his whānau.”

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