Koro Wetere is being remembered for the work he did with Maori

The esteemed elder died in Te Kuiti yesterday, aged 83.

Mr Wetere was the Maori Affairs Minister in the Labour government in the 1980s and played a key role in te reo Maori being recognised as an official language.

Maori Party president Che (chay) Wilson says he accomplished a lot in that role.

He said he helped various iwi through issues with the Crown, and supported Maori welfare workers.

Mr Wetere is lying in state at Turangawaewae Marae