KEY POINTS:
One of the fondest memories of Hare Puke's life was a game against All Black "invincibles" legend George Nepia.
The Tainui statesman, who died on Saturday aged 83, was in his prime when, as a fleet-footed winger, he lined up against his idol in the mid 1940s.
Nepia, who was 43 at the time, had probably seen his best playing days many years before but a young Mr Puke was still in awe of the great fullback.
"I still can't remember where they actually played that game but he always said he was overjoyed with the fact that he had played against the old man," said Jim Perry, a nephew of Mr Nepia and a long-time friend of Mr Puke.
"He often reminded me that was one of the greatest memories he had."
Mr Perry was among hundreds who gathered yesterday at Hukanui Marae, north of Hamilton, to pay their respects to Mr Puke, who helped lead Tainui to their $170 million landmark 1995 Treaty settlement.
He was a highly respected adviser and kaumatua for many organisations, including Hamilton City Council, Wintec and Waikato University.
Mr Perry said Mr Puke, who played for the NZ Maori rugby team in 1946 and 1947, was "a pretty certain inclusion" for the All Blacks in 1948.
"The selectors told him to take it easy, so what does he do? He plays a game of club rugby here in the Waikato and breaks his bloody leg right here at Hukanui. That was the end of his career."
But even if his broken leg had not stopped him, his late wife Doreen probably would have. "He had an elusive side step," said his brother-in-law, Tom Manuirirangi. "But I think Doreen was one of the few who tripped him up."
Mr Manuirirangi said Mr Puke took things personally when some of the tribe's commercial dealings started to go awry.
"When things weren't going too well he felt personally responsible. Fortunately, he lived long enough to see them come right."
Mr Puke was also passionate about the well-being of his people and dozens of police officers and firefighters have visited the marae to pay their respects.
Former Waikato police district commander Kelvin Powell, who farewelled "Uncle Harry" in te reo, acknowledged the kaumatua's long relationship with local police.
"He was very much involved in trying to improve the outcomes for Maori youth and his people," said Mr Powell.
"His was about making this better for the next generation regardless of who they were."
Those gathered not only witnessed the passing of one tribal leader but the installation of another Ngati Wairere head.
Part of the formalities included Mr Puke's younger brother Hakopa being draped in a korowai (cloak) by King Tuheitia's brother Maharaia Paki and Timi te Heuheu, brother of Ngati Tuwharetoa's paramount chief.
Wiremu Puke, Hare's son, said it was special to watch his uncle receiving it.
"It affirms that there is a sense of responsibility, it's about those Maori values we hold dear. It's about the Kingitanga and about ensuring we have a kaumatua that we, as a hapu, can go to for guidance."
There were highly emotional scenes as Mr Puke's whanau carried his coffin from the marae. Several people broke into haka, while others stood and sobbed quietly.
His body was taken to the upper reaches of Taupiri mountain, where he was buried next to his wife, who died in 1990.
