The co-founder of Ngā Kaihanga Uku, Manos Nathan, has passed away aged 66. He was of Te Roroa, Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Whātua descent.
Manos passed away peacefully at his home yesterday following a 10-month battle with leukaemia.
He has been long considered one of New Zealand's leading clay artists. He was also a member of Te Atinga, the Visual Arts committee of Toi Māori Aotearoa.
He had an extensive background in woodcarving and sculpture and carved the meeting house at Matatina Marae, Waipoua Forest on his tribal lands.
It's understood he will lie at Waipoua Marae first before being taken to Taita Marae in Kaihū near Dargaville in Northland.
He is survived by his wife Alison, his four children and one grandchild.
The funeral service will be held at Taita on Monday 7 September, 11am.