Kara's body to stay at Tangoio

The tangi of venerated Napier kaumatua Te Aopehi (Percy) Kara was disrupted yesterday when Tainui representatives descended on Tangoio Marae, intent on removing his body to the Waikato for burial.
Mr Kara, who last year was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his remarkable contribution to Maori education, was descended from both the Tainui and Takitimu canoes.
But after a few minutes intense discussion, the wishes of Mr Kara's wife, Waiariki, prevailed and Mr Kara's son, Ainsley Kara, said it was decided that Mr Kara's body should remain at Tangoio.
He will be buried tomorrow at 11am.
Thousands of people have flocked to the marae to pay their respects since Mr Kara, 77, died suddenly on Monday.
MPs, Maori Women's Welfare League members, representatives from all areas of the education sector and the Health Commission have arrived to pay tribute to a man they respected.
Only 10 days ago, the revered elder was at a women's welfare league hui in Gisborne, representing the Maori Queen, Dame Te Atairangikaahu.
Mr Kara dedicated 40 years of his life to the promotion of Tikanga Maori and the education of his people and was recognised for his contribution by becoming a Companion of the New Zealand Order last June.
At the age of 20, Mr Kara, known to many as Percy, worked as a baker in Central Hawke's Bay and later joined a shearing gang.
By 38 he was employing up to 80 people but quit to get an education.
He then trained as a teacher and became a pioneer in the teaching of Maori language.
Mr Kara took on board the dream of the elders to have more Maori involved in education and learning their own language, which kept it alive.
He taught Maori and social science at schools including Te Aute College and Colenso High School, before moving on to work for the Education Department and becoming national co-ordinator of a drive to recruit more Maori and Pacific Island teachers.
Wairoa-born Mr Kara, who was of Ngati Kahungunu and Tainui descent, has been a board member, vice president and kaumatua of the Te Kohanga Reo National Trust, chaired the Hawke's Bay Maori Teachers' Association, and worked with Te Arikinui Dame Te Ataarangi Kaahu, the Tainui Trust Board, the Maori Women's Welfare League and was a kaumatua for the Health and Disability Commission for 11 years.
On top of these commitments he was a family man, a husband to his wife Waiariki for 62 years and father to his 10 children.
Ainsley Kara described his father as just like any other, but went on to say that although he was committed to Maori education his "main passion was his family."
"He was an incredibly hard worker," he said.
Mr Kara junior will remember his father for his speaking abilities.
"He was a great Maori orator and he just wanted to pass this on," he said.