Respected Christchurch community champion dies

Respected Christchurch community leader Norm Dewes has died.

Norm devoted much of his life to vigorously promoting improved health and social services for Māori, actively working with various community and government entities.

He passed away on Sunday at Christchurch Public Hospital

Norm was well known for his role as Chief Executive Officer of Te Rūnanga o Ngā Maata Waka, and was instrumental in setting up a driver training programme in Christchurch’s redzone.

Norm was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2016 for services to Māori and the community.

In 2004, Norm began overseeing the management of Ngā Hau e Whā Marae, where he opened up the space to 27 organisations who had been displaced following the 2011 quakes.

Under his leadership, Te Rūnanga o Ngā Maata Waka (Urban Māori Authority for the South Island) provided programmes in counselling, tangihanga, driver education, advocacy, early childhood education, recreation, sport, justice, courts, legal support, Māori legal services and employment initiatives.

The Whanau Ora Community Clinic also paid tribute to Norm.

“Norm was an advocate for the underprivileged and disadvantaged people in Christchurch and represented Maori on numerous boards, panels and councils at both local and national levels.

In November, Norm and his partner Linda Ngata (Ngāti Porou) were awarded Te Whare Pūkenga.

Established in 2021 by the Iwi Chairs Forum, the Te Whare Pūkenga award recognises rangatira who have enhanced the lives of all whānau and who embody values including rangatiratanga, whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga, tikanga and pono.

A tangi service will be held on Wednesday.