Maori All Blacks Kaumatua Luke Crawford Passes Away
A Loss to Rugby and the Maori Community
Renowned Maori All Blacks Kaumatua and police sergeant, Luke Crawford, has sadly passed away.
Crawford dedicated his life to serving his community. He began his career in law enforcement and later transitioned to a role as a Maori community engagement adviser at Stats NZ. His influence extended to the world of rugby, where he served as the Kaihautū Maori of the entire New Zealand Rugby organization.
New Zealand Rugby expressed deep sorrow at the loss of this influential figure:
“Kua hinga te totara haemata, te totara whakamarumaru o te wao nui a Tane. Kua kore ngā manu e rere. Kua ngū te ngāhere. Mōu te take, Matua Luke. Aue, aue, aue taukiri e!”
“The towering Totara tree, the sheltering giant has fallen. The forest has gone silent, no birds are flying. We are all in mourning for you, Matua Luke Crawford. Farewell our friend, mentor, our Matua.”
New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson paid tribute to Crawford, acknowledging his significant impact on the organization:
“Matua Luke was a wonderful man and a real taonga for our organization and the entire game in Aotearoa New Zealand. I know that our rugby community will feel this news deeply as we come together over the coming days to remember this incredible man.”
Robinson highlighted Crawford’s instrumental role in elevating the importance of tikanga Maori within the organization and establishing a set of values that have contributed to rugby’s growth as an inclusive and welcoming sport.
Dame Professor Farah Palmer, chair of the New Zealand Maori Rugby Board, praised Crawford’s profound knowledge and his ability to guide the sport in a positive direction:
“Matua Luke was a mighty pou for New Zealand Rugby. His genuine warmth and willingness to share Te Ao Maori with the rugby world created many learning opportunities. We always felt safe and privileged when he led a process, thoughtfully selected and blessed taonga and teams, and shared pūrākau to enrich our places, people and purpose.”
Crawford’s body is currently with the coroner and is expected to be returned to his whānau on Monday, December 16th. He will be taken to Takapūwāhia Marae in Porirua, where his funeral service will be held on Wednesday morning.
The Crawford whānau extends an invitation to all who knew and admired Crawford to pay their respects at the marae between December 16th and 18th.
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