At the time, he said he preferred local body politics’ direct influence on the community over central Government.
“It’s close to your community and if you don’t do well you get a very, very urgent shock every three years.“
Peters (Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi) also paid tribute to the Far North and his Kaikohe home.
“Not many people from Kaikohe receive these awards. This is as much about the wonderful people we have here as it is me.”
Northland leader Dover Samuels – who was in Parliament at the same time as Peters and served under him at Northland Regional Council – said Peters will be missed.
“Once again, we’ve lost a tōtara of the Far North.
“He was well-respected and a humble man with a spirit of generosity.”
Pictured in 2015, then-Northland Regional Councillor Dover Samuels (from left), with NZ First’s Shane Jones, Winston Peters and then-Auckland University Vice-Chancellor Māori Jim Peters. Photo / NZME
Samuels cheekily suggested Peters’ humble manner was the opposite of his better-known brother Winston.
“Jim’s humility of spirit touched the hearts of everyone who knew him.”
Northland MP Grant McCallum described Peters’ contribution to the region as “immense”.
“I would regularly see Jim and wife Robin at events in Northland,” McCallum wrote on Facebook.
“He was always a gentleman and was obviously very supportive of his brother, Winston. He also would regularly offer me advice. My condolences to Robin and the wider Peters family.”
Jim Peters’ career included serving on Northland Regional Council from 1989 to 2007, chairing from 1995 to 2001.
NZ First described Peters as a “foundational figure” whose legacy will long endure.
“He was revered across the party for his quiet wisdom, integrity and principled guidance.”
A social media post from Northland College said: “Kua hinga te kauri i te waonui a Tāne [a great tree has fallen in the great forest of Tāne]”.
During his tenure, the school’s roll grew to 80% Māori, making it one of the country’s largest mainstream schools catering to Māori students.
Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.