Some 800 people have attended the funeral of Whanganui River iwi leader Sir Archie Taiaroa in Taumarunui on Saturday.
Sir Archie led Treaty of Waitangi negotiations for Whanganui iwi, was a member of the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission and served in both local and regional government.
He died in Waikato Hospital on Tuesday, at the age of 73, after suffering a stroke.
The service for Sir Archie was held at at Ngapuwaiwaha Marae following a three-day tangi attended by 2,500 people.
Speaking at the service, Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand described Sir Archie as a peacemaker who built bridges between the two Treaty partners, and as a person who contributed much to Maoridom and to New Zealand.
Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger said Sir Archie's life was lived with tremendous commitment to his people.
Following his funeral, Sir Archie was being carried by jetboat along his beloved Whanganui River to be buried at Tawhata.
