Drowned Paua diver named

A paua diver drowned in southern Hawke's Bay yesterday has been named as former Green party candidate and scientist Bevan Tipene-Matua.

Mr Tipene-Matua, 40, was collecting the shellfish at Blackhead Point to feed workers renovating the Rongomaraeroa Marae, in Porangahau, south of Hastings, Hawke's Bay Today reported today.

He was found floating in the water by another member of the fishing party yesterday afternoon and could not be revived.

Work on the marae, which was being filmed for Maori Television show Marae DIY, has stopped and will not resume until his tangi finishes on Friday.

Mr Tipene-Matua studied at Te Aute College, before going to Otago University to study for a PhD in resource management

He returned home from the South Island with his wife Sharon to raise their children Tuanui, Waitaha and Mitarina in the community where he himself had he had grown up.

A prominent member of the community, Mr Tipene-Matua had worked as a senior policy adviser for the Ministry of Maori Development and the Environmental Risk Management Authority, advising on issues surrounding the introduction of genetically-engineered organisms into New Zealand.

He had also led several research teams studying the ethical, cultural and spiritual impact of genetic science on Maori, and had also previously led the Maori Department at Canterbury University, according to his Green Party candidate bio.

He was Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei's campaign manger and was 31st on the party's list.

- NZPA