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More than 400 people gathered on to farewell poet Hone Tuwhare, who died last week.
A steady stream of people passed through to pay respects before the memorial service on Saturday at First Church in Dunedin, with the jaunty sounds of Louis Armstrong playing in the background and CDs of celebrities reading some of his poetry.
There were smiles and laughter as many shared fond memories and celebrated his life.
Long-time friend Richard Hatherly described Tuwhare as an honorary member of his family and "a great man for the ladies".
"My boys grew up crawling all over him, drooling on him, chewing on him ... he was part of our family and we were so lucky to have his private time.
"With us, he was always off duty. He was a showman. We will share private moments that will never be aired in the public arena. He was vastly entertaining."
Mr Hatherly said Prime Minister Helen Clark had sent a message of condolence to Tuwhare's family.
But she was unable to be at the service, so Associate Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage Mahara Okeroa attended and spoke on her behalf.
Labour MPs David Parker and David Benson-Pope also attended.
University of Otago Emeritus Professor Martin Ferguson said he met Tuwhare when he signed a book of his poetry for a fundraising auction for the Otago Community Hospice.
"He gave me a hard time. With Maori, I was told you should take a gift with you, so I took a bottle of rare Rosebank malt whisky.
"When he realised I was Scottish, he held up his hands in the air and said, "I am an Anderson".
"I didn't know it then, but his grandfather was a Scottish sailor."
As a result, Professor Ferguson had organised for an Anderson tartan cap to be placed with Tuwhare in his coffin and for a piper to lead Tuwhare's coffin from the church.
"Hone had a great sense of humour. He was cheeky - his eyes were just full of mischief - that was Hone. As a person, I had tremendous respect for him."
At the memorial service, film maker Gaylene Preston described Tuwhare as an "activist artist". Tuwhare's publisher, Christine Roberts, of Steele Roberts Publishers, read a message from her husband, Roger Steele, which said his "greatness was so diverse". Other speakers included Tuwhare's biographer Janet Hunt and friends Cilla McQueen, Glenis Woods and Barney Taiapa.
Tuwhare's son Rob said his father was a great man who had touched the hearts of many people in many places.
"You belong everywhere, those big wide Scottish Maori feet have walked everywhere. You have countless friends all over the place."
Tuwhare's body and family were flown to his birth place - Kaikohe - where he will be buried on Tuesday.
- OTAGO DAILY TIMES
