The Maori Party is mourning the death of William Takamoana Delamere - one of the last living members of the 28th Maori Battalion.

"We bid farewell today to a precious kaumatua who served his country with mana during World War II," Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia said.

"The story of the Maori battalion is one of the great legacies that Maori can be proud of and we can thank warriors like Takamoana for that," she said.

Fellow co-leader Dr Pita Sharples said Mr Delamere was a rare breed among Maori men whose legacy would never be forgotten.

"It is extremely sad to hear of Takamoana's passing less than two weeks after the battalion's reunion at Orakei Marae in Auckland," Dr Sharples said.

"Everyone at the hui paid tribute to Wiremu, and to his family, for honouring the occasion with his presence, despite his poor health," he said.

Mr Delamere served in the battalion's C Company which he signed up to in 1939.