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Māori All Blacks kaumātua and police sergeant LukeCrawford has died. Crawford dedicated his life toserving his people through his police work, then as Māoricommunity engagement adviser at Stats NZ. He alsobecame Kaihautū Māori of the entire New Zealand Rugbyorganisation.
New Zealand Rugby released a statementexpressing grief at his loss: "Kua hinga te totarahaemata, te totara whakamarumaru o te wao nui a Tane. Kuakore ngā manu e rere. Kua ngū te ngāhere.
Mōu te take,Matua Luke. Aue, aue, aue taukiri e!" "The toweringTotara tree, the sheltering giant has fallen. The forest hasgone silent, no birds are flying.
We are all in mourning foryou, Matua Luke Crawford. Farewell our friend, mentor, ourMatua." New Zealand Rugby chief executive MarkRobinson said Crawford was widely regarded as one of theorganisation's most respected Māori leaders.
"MatuaLuke was a wonderful man and a real taonga for ourorganisation and the entire game in Aotearoa New Zealand. Iknow that our rugby community will feel this news deeply aswe come together over the coming days to remember thisincredible man." "Our thoughts are with Luke'swhānau, and I'd like to thank them for sharing so much ofhim with rugby.
He leaves an amazing legacy in ourgame." Robinson said under Crawford's leadership theorganisation's commitment to the use of tikanga Māori wastransformed, and a set of values was established for rugbywhich had helped it progress as a safe and welcomingsport. New Zealand Māori Rugby Board chair, DameProfessor Farah Palmer, said Crawford was a wealth ofknowledge, which he used to help pivot the sport in a gooddirection.
"Matua Luke was a mighty pou for NewZealand Rugby," she said. "His genuine warmth andwillingness to share Te Ao Māori with the rugby worldcreated many learning opportunities. We always felt safe andprivileged when he led a process, thoughtfully selected andblessed taonga and teams, and shared pūrākau to enrich ourplaces, people and purpose.
" Crawford's body was withthe coroner, and is expected to return to his whānau onMonday, when he will be taken to Takapūwāhia Marae inPorirua. His funeral service will take place onWednesday morning. The Crawford whānau invitedeveryone who knew Crawford and wanted to pay their respectsto the marae, between 16 and 18 December.
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