Thousands expected at Sir Howard's tangi

Sir Howard Morrison is carried onto Te Papaiouru Marae where he will lie in state until his funeral on Tuesday. Photo / NZPA

Roughly 2000 people were expected to have paid their respects to the late Sir Howard Morrison by the end of today.

Sir Howard is lying at Tamatekapua meeting house, the premier meeting house of Te Arawa, which stands in his home village of Ohinemutu, in Rotorua.

Sir Howard was taken there this morning after his body had lain briefly at his late mother Kahu's home close to Lake Rotorua.

Whanau had planned to walk with the casket from there to Tamatekapua but a torrential downpour prevented this.

Instead, Sir Howard's body was driven by hearse, flanked by Rotorua police officers.

Sir Howard's son-in-law Anaru Grant is a leading figure in police cultural and kapa haka activities.

The rain was welcomed by family spokesman Monty Morrison, who said it confirmed that a great kaumatua (elder) had been lost to Te Arawa.

Sir Howard, who died peacefully yesterday, will lie at Tamatekapua until Tuesday when, after a farewell service, he will be buried at Kauae cemetery on the slopes of Mt Ngongotaha.

A large contingent of Tuhoe and Matatua people had welcomed Sir Howard's body into the meeting house.

Much of Sir Howard's childhood had been spent in Tuhoe territory and until recent years he had regularly returned to the area to ride his horse, go fishing and hunting, nephew Temuera Morrison said.

Sir Howard's trademark hymn Whakaaria Mai had been inspired by the area.

Among the first non-Maori to pay his respects to Sir Howard was Chinese ambassador Zhang Limin, who was in Rotorua for celebrations to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Sir Howard was to have closed the event.

Morrison whanau were to join together at 7pm tonight for karakia (prayer) before resting for the night, Temuera Morrison said.

Concerned about the welfare of the large media contingent, he encouraged them to make use of the marae's dining hall, Whakaturia.

"You are all working hard, it would be important to uncle that you did not miss your kai," he said.

It was anticipated more than 5000 would visit Ohinemutu over coming days.

The arrival of the Maori king, King Tuheutia, had been delayed by the death of Waikato University professor James Ritchie who was currently lying in state in Hamilton, Monty Morrison said.

However, a small Tainui delegation had already arrived at Ohinemutu while the king, accompanied by a much larger group, would follow tomorrow.

It had been confirmed that Opposition leader Phil Goff would attend Sir Howard's funeral. With Prime Minister John Key out of the country it was not yet known who would represent the Government.

Monty Morrison said the family had deeply appreciated the respect accorded Sir Howard in Parliament yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Bay of Plenty Steamers rugby side would play tomorrow's match against Otago wearing black arm bands as a mark of respect for Sir Howard, a keen rugby supporter and son of former Maori All Black Temuera Morrison senior.

A number of Steamers were expected to be at Ohinemutu on their return north.

The flag at the Rotorua District Council was today flying at half mast while locals mourned Sir Howard, so too was the flag at the Rotorua Club where Sir Howard had spent many a convivial evening.

A book of condolences has been opened at the council buildings and the Rotorua Museum of Art and History has mounted a display acknowledging Sir Howard's contribution to his community and his country.

- NZPA