Family to attend Blake memorial

9.00 am

UPDATE - Sir Peter Blake's widow and two children are expected in New Zealand late this week for a memorial service to be held on Sunday in Auckland Domain.

The Herald understands Lady Pippa and children Sarah-Jane and James are expected to arrive in Auckland on Saturday.

The official memorial service, however, might not find room for a grand procession on the water planned by Auckland yachties.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister's office said yesterday that the yachting fraternity was free to hold an event, but the Government's role was to organise a solemn ceremony that suited Sir Peter's family. Details were still being finalised, but it was likely to be on Sunday at a location to be announced within a day or two.

The organiser of a procession of keelers around Waitemata Harbour as a farewell to Sir Peter said their gesture appeared to be in jeopardy.

Garth Richardson, a lifelong friend of Sir Peter, said the yachting fraternity was on stand-by for the procession, scheduled for Sunday.

Junior boaties had been expected to crowd the Viaduct Harbour in Optimists and P-class yachts to pay tribute to their hero.

Mr Richardson said he had worked closely with the Blake family in New Zealand and with Yachting New Zealand on the event.

He sent the plans to the Prime Minister's office, the Internal Affairs Department and the Auckland City Council but had not heard back.

Mr Richardson said yachting clubs needed time to plan their event to fit in with the Government-organised service, but still did not know when that would be.

Auckland mayor John Banks said he had advised Helen Clark that the service should be held at the Auckland Town Hall and the adjacent Aotea Square, and run down Queen St and out on to the harbour.

But he said: "I accept it's what the family wants that is important."

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Peter Blake, 1948-2001

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