Far North District Council Mayor, Moko Tepania, has paid tribute to Far North Creative Communities Committee Deputy Chair, Janet Planet, who passed away late last week after a short illness.
He said Janet was a staunch supporter of the arts in the Far North, running the South Seas Gallery in Russell and helping artists through Creative Communities and her work.
Kahika Tepania, a former council appointee to the Creative Communities Scheme, says her contribution and dedication to the arts will be missed and offered his aroha to her whānau.
A private family service will be held today (9 August), with a community event to follow in the coming weeks.