Maori broadcaster, surfer and te reo advocate Te Kauhoe Wano died on Friday at the age of 49.

Colleague Ruakere Hond says Mr Wano was a leader in his field of expertise as a te reo teacher, and a member of the Te Reo o Taranaki movement and was a person who made a positive impact on the survival of the language.

He and his wife Pirihira were also involved in organisational and project management.

Mr Wano was an avid surfer and hosted a programme on Maori TV about this surfing safaris with his twin brother Wharehoka Wano, as well being a sports commentator on Te Reo and TV3.

Known as “TK”, he commentated on the Rugby World Cup for Maori Television’s Te Reo channel.

Mr Wano’s body will be taken Parihaka pa during the weekend. He lived in Piha.

Mr Wano’s tribal affiliations are with: Taranaki, Te Atiawa, and Ngati Awa.

He is survived by his wife and their three children.

Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand