“Ricky’s passing will be a huge loss to his whānau, Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti kapa haka rōpū, and te ao haka,” says Carl Ross, Manahautū Te Matatini.
“Over the years I’ve been involved in kapa haka, I have been able to perform with and compete against kaihaka who have departed this world to be with our tupuna.
“In 2014, I had the privilege of travelling and performing with Ricky at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. We were there for a month as ambassadors of Aotearoa and we were joined through our passion for kapa haka and performing. When you join kapa haka you join a whānau, and the longer you stay the closer you become.
“I was especially pleased for Ricky when he won the Manukura Tāne Trophy at Te Matatini in 2017, for his devotion to kapa haka. His passion for te reo me ngā tikanga Māori made him a respected advocate even though he was so young.
“I understand the sadness and grief of losing a fellow kaihaka and more so a tutor, leader, mentor, and friend. My heart and thoughts are with his whānau, Whakatōhea, and Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti.
No reira e hoa moe mai ra ki roto i te ringa kaha o te atua.