Everybody was trying to say and sing Happy Birthday to veteran Napier social justice activist and former businessman Pat Magill during the weekend.
But despite the emotional moment of 800 people turning to sing in his honour in the Napier Sound Shell on Saturday, or such leaders as Napier Mayor Bill Dalton and groundbreaking now retired MP and Maori Party mentor Tariana Turia, the 90-year-old was hardly about to put his toes up.
Napier is still not too big to learn about itself, he was still reminding everyone as the two days of commemoration stared to wind down at the Waiohiki Creative Arts Village last night.
Mr Dalton said later that a mark of Mr Magill's commitment and loyalty to his cause came three years ago during the mayoral election campaign.
"While the Dalton and Magill families have been good friends for a good many years, Pat still chose to put my strongest opponent's sign on his lawn," Mr Dalton said.