"Huge loss to the community": Tributes flow for Kaumātua Des Ratima
Community leaders are mourning the loss of Kaumātua Des Ratima, who died at the age 69 on Sunday morning.
Mr Ratima (Ngāi Te Rangikoianake, Ngāti Kahungunu), ONZM JP, was an ex-NZ Army warrant officer and a member of the HBDHB Māori Relationship Board and Ahuriri District Health Board.
His efforts to improve Māori life in the local community were recognised in the 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours list when he was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori.
Meka Whaitiri, Labour MP for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti said she was "glad" to have spent time with Mr Ratima and his wife "Aunty Evelyn" the other day.
"I'll remember that conversation. How much work you felt needed to be done. With death being so imminent, how your thoughts had changed.
"Go to your eternal rest knowing you served this country and your community with humility, dignity and strength with a 19-year career in the NZ Army; to your Church Latter Day Saints; to the community of Whakatu as our unofficial mayor; the fierce advocacy, awhi and care to the many whānau struggling amongst us.
"Your love and compassion knew no bounds and you leave a big hole in a world needing that more than ever. So rest your weary head e te whanaunga. Your work complete. I salute you! I thank you!
"Sincere condolences to Aunty Evelyn and whanau at this very sad time. May God keep and comfort you all."
Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said: "We have lost an outstanding leader and kaumātua for our people".
"Des Ratima was a hero of Whakatu, Hastings, Hawke’s Bay and wider New Zealand – always doing everything in his power to draw people together for the greater good, and to bring about fairness and equity in the education, health and justice systems.
"He promoted understanding between cultures and brought smiles to the faces of our young people. It was an honour to work with Des (our mayor of Whakatū) over the years."
She said she was grateful for the time she had with him last week to present to him a mayoral commendation for the "unparalleled work he has done for our community".
"He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his family at this time. Rest in peace Des," she said.
Executive Director Māori Health (Tē Puni Tumatawhanui) Patrick LeGeyt said it was with "great sadness" they mourn two leaders in Ngāti Kahungunu – Huia Beattie and Des Ratima.
"Both of these leaders have been hugely influential in the development of Hauora Māori ki Te Matau a Māui and were role models, mentors and friends to many. Our thoughts and prayers are with their whānau in this difficult time compounded by the restrictions of the pandemic.
"Ahakoa kua ngaro atu i te tirohanga kanohi, kei te mahana o whakaro kōrua e noho ana."
