The funeral of Mauriora Kingi who was buried at Te Ao-nui Urupa in the Whakarewarewa Village. 09 June 2015 Daily Post photograph by Stephen Parker
The funeral of Mauriora Kingi who was buried at Te Ao-nui Urupa in the Whakarewarewa Village. 09 June 2015 Daily Post photograph by Stephen Parker
Close to 20,000 people from the four winds travelled to Te Pakira Marae at Whakarewarewa Village over the five day long tangihanga, to mourn, to acknowledge and to farewell Te Mauri Rangituhaha Kingi, widely known as Mauriora.
Amongst the masses were prominent kaumatua from all tribes, including the Maori King,Tuheitia. Te Arawa kaumatua Sir Toby Curtis says Te Arawa will grieve long into the future.
"He was a cultural giant who served his iwi, region and our nation like no other. Mauriora was without fear as he worked momentously to unify us all to make our mark in the world." The large numbers meant only three or four ope were welcomed on daily. Most had up to 10 speakers. It was an opportunity for the next generation of Tuhourangi speakers to practice what Mauriora had started teaching them over the last few months.
More than 1000 people attended the burial day alone, closing the village down as people lined the streets, filled courtyard, stretching back to the archway across the bridge over the Puarenga river.
While Te Arawa have claimed Mauiora, he was born in Mangapeehi, near Bennydale. His biological whanau belong to the Whatarangi whanau. Shortly after birth he was given away as a whangai to the Kingi family in Otaki, near Wellington, where he first practiced whaikorero.
His youngest biological brother, Pei Whatarangi, was deeply moved by the mana he never realised his oldest brother had. "Coming back for the tangi and seeing all the Te Arawa whanau embrace him like he was their's is just awesome. It's overwhelming to see what he has done for Te Arawa and what Te Arawa has done for him."
Tuhourangi and Te Arawa songs echoed through the village as the masses waited for the church service.
The funeral of Mauriora Kingi who was buried at Te Ao-nui Urupa in the Whakarewarewa Village. 09 June 2015 Daily Post photograph by Stephen Parker. RGP 10Jun15 - HAERE RA: Whanau paid their final
Once the Anglican minister's finished their prayers, Mauriora's last journey continued.
His casket was carried by his sons and nephews through the village, led by a group of devoted young men who formed an ope taua in his honor.
Finally resting just under Tuhoromatakaka, the house Maggie Papakura once lived in. A custom made tomb was errected during the tangihanga to house his coffin.
The land was gifted as a final resting place by minister, Bob Schuster and the wider family of guide Emily Schuster, Papakura's grand daughter. Spokesperson, Jim Schuster said "our whanau loved Mauriora. So when his wh?nau came to ask, it was an easy decision to make."
Mauriora is survived by his three children Te Waiwhakaata (20), Te Mauri (18) and Tawharau (15).
