Environment Bay of Plenty has approved a fund to commemorate former councillor Hawea Vercoe.
Hawea, who represented the Okurei constituency, died last year after he was attacked outside a Whakatane bar.
He Matapuna Akoranga a Hawea Vercoe/The Hawea Vercoe Commemoration Fund will make $20,000 available per annum for the first two years.
Funding after that will be sought through the Ten Year Plan process.


EBOP chairman John Cronin (left) says the memorial fund for Hawea Vercoe is a fitting way to recognise the passion Hawea Vercoe (right) had for the Bay of Plenty region.

The task of setting criteria for applying to the fund has been referred to the Regional Council's Maori Committee, who will recommend to council the criteria for how the money should be allocated.
EBOP chairman John Cronin says Hawea was passionate about the environment, education, Maori culture and te reo.
'Hopefully the fund is a fitting way of recognise his passions in the region and gives significance to them,” says John.
Although unable to attend yesterday's meeting, Hawea Vercoe's father Waaka Vercoe had written to council about the move to set up the fund.
Waaka says he was deeply moved by this proposal and was deeply touched by the gesture.
The Maori committee will discuss the fund at its meeting on Thursday 11 February at Hariki Marae in Tauranga, and is expected to report back to Council in the near future.