"Whai Ngata was a leading pioneer of Māori broadcasting having been instrumental in the development of Māori news with the establishment of Te Karere and subsequently led the Māori department at TVNZ.
He was a mentor to many in the Māori broadcasting industry and without the contribution of the likes of Whai Ngata, Māori Television might not have come into existence.
Whai was passionately committed to programmes like Te Karere and Wakahuia and also an acknowledged expert on the reo.
Being a mokopuna of Sir Apirana Ngata, he was born of noble blood and acted accordingly.
"Ka tuohu tātou katoa ki a ia."