New Zealander killed in Iraq farewelled in packed ceremony

Teina Ngamata

More than 1000 people gathered in the village of Matavera on Rarotonga on Saturday to pay tribute to a Hamilton man killed in Iraq this month.

Teina Marokura Ngamata, 37, who was born in Rarotonga, died after the truck he was driving ran over a landmine in Iraq on August 8.

Mr Ngamata had been working as a driver in Baghdad since 2004, and aimed to retire at the age of 40.

He was described by family members as both a "warrior" and a loving family man.

He had spent 10 years in the military before his time in Iraq and was trained for what he was doing.

The Cook Island News reported the Matavera Holy Spirit Revival Church was packed with mourners farewelling Mr Ngamata.

The church was just down the road from Matavera where Mr Ngamata grew up and his family, who are big landowners in Rarotonga, donated the land the church is built on.

Political leaders including Deputy Prime Minister Terepai Maoate, traditional leaders, his former school mates, a colleague from Iraq who accompanied his body from Kuwait.

Other mourners joined his mother Ruta, wife Cheryl, his four children and the rest of his family to farewell the man they knew as Ina.

Eulogies were delivered by many, including his only brother Taneao, who said that Mr Ngamata was a man with a big heart.

On behalf of the Cook Islands he thanked Mrs Ngamata for allowing them to bring Ina home to rest.

Mr Ngamata's mother and wife stood side by side at the grave watching the coffin lowered next to his late father Noo Ngamata.

Cook Islands Religious Advisory Council president Pastor Tutai Pere said Mr Ngamata's death had placed the Cook Islands on the world map.

"Never has a passing of a Cook Islander made it into the world news but Teina's [had].

"He has been a good ambassador, made our country proud to know that one of our boys was part of the rebuilding efforts in Iraq."

- NZPA