19/06/2026
He Maimai Aroha
Tū ana i a Rangiahua, e tangi.
Ko Kapuarangi e rū, e auē ana.
Ko Wainui e rere nei. E kī ana i te roimata.
Ka pari te moana.
Ka karanga mai. ‘Kua riro, ā, kua riro’
Ngāi Tai iwi e tangi, e whati.
Kua hinga te pou. Kua motu te taura.
Whenua. Wai. Tangata.
Kotahi te tangi. Ka tau te mamae.
E te rātā whakamarumaru, takoto, takoto, e moe.
Ngāitai Iwi Authority acknowledges with deep sadness the passing of Ian Ruru, a respected uri of Ngāi Tai whose life's work has left an enduring legacy for our iwi, te taiao, and future generations.
For more than two decades, Ian served as a Director of Te Kumukumu Ltd, contributing his wisdom, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the aspirations of Ngāi Tai. He worked alongside our people to protect our awa, generously shared his knowledge, and strengthened our understanding of kaitiakitanga and our responsibilities as guardians of te taiao.
Ian was recognised nationally and internationally as a pioneering leader in Māori environmental science. Through his groundbreaking work with Mauri Compass, he helped reshape how environmental wellbeing is understood, demonstrating that the health of our wai, our whenua, and our people are inseparable. His vision challenged conventional approaches to environmental management and helped elevate the role of mātauranga Māori in decision-making across Aotearoa and beyond.
Despite his many achievements, Ian remained committed to empowering others. He believed knowledge should be shared, not held. He inspired people to reconnect with their environments, their whakapapa, and their responsibilities as kaitiaki. Whether working alongside whānau, supporting environmental restoration, or encouraging young people to become future guardians of te taiao, Ian led with humility, generosity, and purpose.
For Ngāi Tai, Ian's legacy is reflected not only in his professional achievements, but in the relationships he built, the knowledge he shared, and the care he showed for our people and the environment. His contribution has helped lay a stronger foundation for future generations to continue the work of protecting and restoring the taonga entrusted to us. His legacy will continue to flow through the awa he helped protect, the people he inspired, and the generations of kaitiaki who will follow in his footsteps.
On behalf of Ngāitai Iwi Authority, we extend our deepest aroha and heartfelt condolences to Ian's beloved wife, son’s, whānau, friends, colleagues, and all those whose lives were touched by his wisdom and generosity.
Thank you, Ian, for your leadership, service and lifelong commitment to Ngāi Tai, to te taiao, and to Aotearoa.
E te rangatira, ka kore mātou e wareware I a koe. E moe.
