Domain is venue for Blake memorial on Sunday

UPDATE

A memorial service will be held in the Auckland Domain on Sunday to celebrate the life of Sir Peter Blake who was shot dead in the Amazon on December 6.

Prime Minister Helen Clark says the Blake family was consulted extensively about the format of the service, which will be "simple and dignified".

The service will start at 11am and will be attended by Lady Pippa Blake and her children, Sarah-Jane and James, members of the Blake family including his mother Joyce, sister Jan and brother Tony, and friends and colleagues of Sir Peter.

The Prime Minister and the Governor-General, Dame Silvia Cartwright, will speak at the service, along with Sir Hugh Kawharu, Douglas Myers, Sara-Jane and James Blake, and friends of Sir Peter.

Seven other government ministers will attend, including Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton, Foreign Minister Phil Goff, Conservation Minister Sandra Lee, the Minister for Sport Trevor Mallard, Internal Affairs Minister George Hawkins, Minister for the Environment Marian Hobbs, and Minister for Auckland Issues Judith Tizard.

Dignitaries attending include Auckland City Mayor John Banks and other regional mayors, and MPs.

Brazil's Secretary of Sport, Lars Grael, will also attend and speak at the service.

Ian Johnstone will act as MC. The service will be led by the Royal New Zealand Navy chaplain and the Navy band will provide the music. Noted New Zealand musicians, Tim and Neil Finn and Dave Dobbyn, and tenor Patrick Power will sing at the service.

Helen Clark said it was important to have the service regardless of the cost, which the Government would cover.

Auckland Mayor John Banks said the preferred position in the Domain was in front of the cenotaph, and the carpark where the embankment flows down towards the Waitemata Harbour.

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Peter Blake, 1948-2001

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