Plenty of humour in tributes to Sir Howard

Temuera Morrison leads family members in a powerful haka. Photo / Alan Gibson

He was a man whose passion for music was equalled by his commitment to youth. But Sir Howard Morrison's kindly ways did not always extend to his future son-in-law.

Anaru Grant, who met his future father-in-law while working with the Maori Affairs Department in the early 1980s, said he had a great relationship with the singer - until he met his daughter.

Speaking at the funeral service at Te Papaiouru marae for the entertainer yesterday, Mr Grant said when Sir Howard found he was hanging around his daughter Donna, "the working relationship became very strained and, might I say, not on my part".

Mr Grant was part of a kapa haka group who appeared on a television broadcast where Sir Howard would introduce each member of the group.

"And I was standing there all proud and he comes to me and says 'and that black fella there, he's smelling around my daughter'."

On another occasion, Mr Grant came back to his workplace where his colleagues were preparing for a party.

"My mates said 'quickly Anaru, we're having a farewell'.

"I said 'who's going?' and they said 'you'. He shipped me off to Palmerston North - unbelievable."

Deputy Prime Minister Bill English said Sir Howard's rendition of How Great thou Art to the Queen in 1981 at the Royal Variety Performance was a standout moment in what had been a difficult year for New Zealanders marred by the Springbok Tour.

He said it epitomised the way an ordinary man created an extraordinary event .

"He took an ordinary hymn and wove it into the cultural and spiritual life of our nation," said Mr English.

Donna Grant, the eldest of Sir Howard and Lady Morrison's three children, said in the eulogy her father's expectations of his children as performers were high.

"All humility in our family was snapped out of you very quickly because you were told to stand and sing and when Dad said so you got up and you did your thing because that was the expectation of you as a Morehana [Morrison]," she said.

She said Sir Howard saw every day as an opportunity to do good "and be recognised for it".

"In his heart of hearts he was a man of great giving and he lived by the motto that living was giving."

Sir Howard's namesake and son, Howard Morrison Jnr, told billionaire Owen Glenn he could fill the void left by his father's absence.

"To my dad's good friend Owen Glenn we will announce your koha [donation] and I am available to fulfil all my father's appointments," he said.

The sermon was read by Reverend Tom Poata who described Sir Howard as a hero of showbusiness.

* Tributes to the great entertainer

BILL ENGLISH ON SIR HOWARD'S RENDITION OF HOW GREAT THOU ART

"He took an ordinary hymn and wove it into the cultural and spiritual life of our nation. It was an expression of Sir Howard Morrison's ability to uplift and bring together a nation that needed it."

DONNA GRANT, ELDEST OF SIR HOWARD'S THREE CHILDREN

"In his heart of hearts he was a man of great giving and he lived by the motto that living was giving."

ANARU GRANT, SIR HOWARD'S SON-IN-LAW AND HUSBAND TO DONNA GRANT

"He shipped me off to Palmerston North, unbelievable."

REVEREND TOM POATA

"He struck down the boundaries between Maori party singers and professional entertainers. He showed Maori were capable of singing any style of music we choose."

HOWARD MORRISON JR

"To my dad's good friend Owen Glenn we will announce your koha [donation] and I am available to fulfil all my father's appointments."