Touch NZ wish to acknowledge the sad passing of Gerard Ngawati.  Gerard is a founding member of the trust that established Maori Touch NZ, and has been one of the driving forces behind that organisation since its inception.  Gerard and his Whanau have for many years now run the annual  Māori Touch NZ national touch tournament.  Maori Touch NZ also took on the mantle of initiating and developing the World Indigenous Touch concept which had its most recent tournament in Rotorua in January 2011.  Gerard had a significant background in education and touched the lives of many during his lifetime.  This was reflected in the thousands of people that attended his tangi.  Touch NZ wish to extend our sincerest condolences to Carol and Whanau at this sad time

Tuatahi he maimai aroha tenei ki te pou o pa whutuporo Aotearoa ki a Gerard Ngawati.

E kore koe e wareware ma matou o tomina e hapai.