Waitangi Day 2005: Leader fought for unity

Mourning for one of Maoridom's most respected orators and a champion of Maori unity will begin proceedings at Waitangi's Te Tii marae today.

Tame TeMaro, who died after a short illness last week, will be honoured with a kawe mate called by Ngapuhi elders.

The ceremony was called to allow those from the North who were unable to travel to Mr TeMaro's tangi last weekend the opportunity to grieve and show their respect to him and his whanau.

Mr TeMaro was regarded as a leading Maori orator, able to capture the essence of the people's thoughts and express it through words.

Born in the East Coast's Ruatoria he was a staunch advocate of kotahitanga (Maori unity) and of Ngati Porou. He had whakapapa connections with the Taupare, Uepohatu and Pokai whanau.

This support led to his involvement as a founder of Te Rununga o Ngati Porou, as a backer of Radio Ngati Porou and as a principal behind the creation of Maori health service Ngati Porou Hauora.

Minister of Maori Affairs Parekura Horomia said Mr TeMaro first took him to Waitangi more than 25 years ago.

"He had been coming for a number of years even then."

Mr Horomia said the respect Mr TeMaro carried was shown when he was welcomed to join the tangata whenua (people of the land) at Waitangi rather than as a guest.

Not one to be intimidated by academics, the elder would retort when the verbal sparring got too much that he "never went to Te Aute" - a reference to Hastings-based Maori boys school Te Aute College.

He was one of Ngati Porou's leading rangatira (chief) whose strong leadership will be missed. Mr TeMaro was 75, and is survived by a son and mokopuna.