Legendary New Zealand entertainer and Maori music icon Sir Howard Morrison has passed away. Sir Howard Morrison, 74, died in Rotorua on Thursday September 24.

Read the tributes so far and use the comment box to add yours.

• Creative New Zealand statement

Ngarue ana te whenua ngaoko ana te moana i te hinganga o te totara o te wao o Tane. Kei te pitou whakarei o te waka o Te Arawa te whatukura o te paepae o Houmaitawhiti, te korokoro Tui o te ngahere nui a Tane, kei te rangatira, haere atu ra.

It is with great sadness that Creative New Zealand acknowledges the passing of Maori music icon, and New Zealand’s greatest entertainer, Sir Howard Morrison.

Throughout his career he has exemplified the very best of Maori entertainment and over the last five decades, he has offered a unique Maori voice to the world, not just in music and entertainment, but also in charities and community initiatives.  He captured the hearts of New Zealanders and earned his place as a national icon.

“Not just a great artist and entertainer but an outstanding New Zealander” was the resounding message conveyed when in 2007 Dr Ngahuia Te Awekotukua then Chair of Te Waka Toi, the Maori Arts Board of Creative New Zealand, presented Sir Howard with theTe Tohu Tiketike a Te Waka Toi. This is the premiere Te Waka Toi Award for Maori artists who have demonstrated a lifetime commitment to their art and who are leaders in their field. 

In recognition of his work he became a distinguished member of the Order of the British Empire 1976 and in 1990 was knighted in recognition of both his talent, and his services to his country, his people and the entertainment industry. Sir Howard Morrison was presented with his Te Tohu Tiketike a Te Waka Toi award in Rotorua on September 23 2007.

Kei te mareikura e Kuia, koutou ko to pa harakeke, koutou Te Arawa, ma te Runga Rawa koutou katoa e manaaki e tiaki.

• New Zealand Prime Minister John Key

Prime Minister John Key says it is with great sadness that he has learned of the death of one of New Zealand's greatest and most loved entertainers.

Mr Key, speaking from New York where he is at the United Nations, says Howard Morrison has been at the forefront of New Zealand music for more than 50 years and his contribution was immense.

"Sir Howard was a New Zealand success story. From humble beginnings he became an international success, first with the Howard Morrison Quartet, and then in an illustrious solo career.

"But more than that, Sir Howard was one of New Zealand's best loved entertainers, his appeal spanning every age group."

Howard Morrison was knighted in 1990 for services to entertainment.

"I pay tribute to a real gentleman. My thoughts are with his whanau at this time. Sir Howard Morrison will be greatly missed."

• The Maori Party

Poroporoaki ki Ta Howard Morrison
Na te Ropu Torangapu Maori 24 September 2009

Kua pokarekare nga wai o Rotorua!
Kua pahu nga waiariki o Ohinemutu!
Kua tairi mai te kohu ki runga o Tamatekapua!
Kua ru te Papaiouru i te hinganga o Ta Howard Morrison, rangatira o Ngati Whakaue, reo rongonui o te ao Maori ki nga topito o te ao!

E te rangatira, ka pa mai te rongo kino nei, ka pakaru mai te tangi o nga iwi huri noa, Maori, Pakeha, i te mamae, i te arohanui ki a koe.

Nou te reo aroha, he reo whakapai i te wairua, whakamama taumahatanga, reo whakamenemene, whakakatakata, he reo whakakotahi i nga iwi.

He reo kawe i te mana Maori ki te ao, he reo waiata i tonoa mai e nga arikinui, e nga upoko, e nga mana nui o nga iwi, o nga whenua puta noa.

Inaianei kua wahangu koe, kua wahangu tatou katoa, haunga ano te hotuhotu o te tangi o te ngakau.

Ta Howard, takoto mai ra, takoto mai ra i te poho o to whanau, o to marae, o to iwi, moe mai ra i te moenga te whakaarahia, i te urunga te taka.

Haere, haere, haere ki te Po!

The Maori Party today expresses their deep sadness at the passing of Sir Howard Morrison.

“Sir Howard’s music, and his style of entertainment, transcended national and cultural boundaries to lift the spirits of people great and small in every corner of the world,” said Dr Pita Sharples.

"Howard took the songs of our people, the songs of his beloved village of Ohinemutu to the world,” he said.

“He touched the hearts of New Zealanders with his incredible talent, never finer than in the Royal Command Performance in 1981, when his rendition of Whakaari Mai (How Great thou art) made us all proud.”

“Sir Howard became a member of the Aotearoa Concert party in 1956, went on to form the Ohinemutu Quartet (later known as the Howard Morrison Quartet); which quickly earnt a reputation as a highly distinguished show band,” said Dr Sharples.

“In between the tours, the concerts, the albums and the relentless work of the show business circuit, Sir Howard is remembered for his devotion to the people," Tariana Turia said.

“His initiative in the organisation of Tu Tangata was as legendary as his singing.  Sir Howard was able to utilise his distinctive status to support rangatahi Maori in being able to have dreams and to believe the world was theirs.”

“That was perhaps his greatest gift to Aotearoa – that he instilled a fierce sense of pride in us all.”

"The Morrison whanau have lost three prominent members recently with Atareta Maxwell, Taini and now Sir Howard; but the contribution they have all made to Maori performing arts is a legacy we can all be proud of,” said Te Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell.  

“We mourn with his family, his widow Lady Kuia and their two sons and daughter, at the loss of this distinguished statesman, adored by the people.  Let his music live on.”