We are saddened to hear of the passing of Charles Crofts ONZM (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāi Tūāhuriri) yesterday.
Charles' made a tremendous contribution to New Zealand in service to his country, iwi and a wide range of organisations and causes.
He was dedicated to serving his communities, starting with 20 years' service in the New Zealand army.
He was a tireless advocate for his iwi and operated with passion and commitment as a key member of the negotiation team involved in the historic 1997 Ngai Tahu Settlement.
Charles Crofts was a principled man who demonstrated an unwavering spirt of service. This was evidenced by the decades for work for communities and on boards of various organisations in Canterbury and across Maoridom including being Chair of Koukourarata Rūnanga on Banks Peninsula and Kaumātua for the Christchurch City Council.
Our thoughts are with his family at this time.
