EIT is mourning the passing of Te Ūranga Waka kaiwhakaako Ron Dennis. Photo taken by Savannah Wharehinga

He pōkēao kua tau ki Te Ara o Tāwhaki whare, kāhore ia nei ko te tohu o te mate!

The Te Aho a Māui EIT community is mourning the passing of beloved friend and colleague Ron Dennis on Tuesday after a long illness.

Ron started work at EIT in 2008 as an office administrator and then moved into a teaching role after achieving his BA (Māori). He became a highly valued and respected kaiwhakaako and elder in Te Ūranga Waka. He spent many years researching the history and meanings of the whakairo (carvings) of Te Ara o Tāwhaki, EIT’s wharenui or ceremonial house, as much of this information had been lost with the passing of EIT kaumātua Tuahine Northover.

EIT’s Chief Executive Chris Collins and Bill Kimberley, EIT’s Executive Director, Human Resources and Operations, paid tribute to Ron in an email to staff yesterday.

“We remember Ron as a kind, gentle and thoughtful man and a passionate advocate for his ākonga and our communities. We have fond memories of Ron and these we will treasure. Our thoughts and aroha are with Ron’s whānau and our friends and colleagues in Te Ūranga Waka during this sad time. Rest in peace, e koro, ka nui te aroha.”

A pōwhiri was held at EIT’s Hawke’s Bay Campus yesterday afternoon, where EIT kaumātua, Matiu Eru accompanied Ron’s whānau as they returned Ron to Te Ara o Tāwhaki where he will lay until Friday. A service will be held at 10am on Friday and then Ron will be taken to a whānau urupā (cemetery) in Whakatū, Hastings followed by hākari (feast) at Te Ūranga Waka.

E te pāpā, e moe i te uma o tō whare, tō āhuru mōwai, e tū tahanga nei i tō rironga atu. Piki ake i te ara tukutuku o poutama, kia maringi noa a roimata toroa, kia tae atu koe ki ngā mana o te pou te wharau o tō whare, ki te pae e karanga ana ki a koe. E te hoa, e te pāpā, haere, okioki.