Whanau paid their final respects to Mauriora Kingi, who was buried at Te Ao-nui Urupa in the Whakarewarewa Village yesterday. Photo / Stephen Parker
Whanau paid their final respects to Mauriora Kingi, who was buried at Te Ao-nui Urupa in the Whakarewarewa Village yesterday. Photo / Stephen Parker
He was born in Benneydale and raised in Otaki, but Mauriora Kingi was always a son of Te Arawa.
His knowledge and upbringing in tikanga Maori led to work at the Rotorua Lakes Council as director of kaupapa Maori, but Mr Kingi was more to the people of Rotorua - and New Zealand - than a job.
Mr Kingi, who died aged 53 on Friday, was farewelled by around 1000 people at Te Paakira Marae, Whakarewarewa Village, yesterday. Thousands were welcomed onto the marae during his four-day tangi, including Maori King Tuheitia Paki.
Such was his affiliation to Tuhourangi he was laid to rest at Te Ao-nui Urupa with the backyards of homes in the village filled with people and the sound of haka and song present as he was taken to his final resting place.
Anglican Bishop of Aotearoa Rahu Katene told the crowds that when Mr Kingi was born he was already destined to be special.
"I went to his mother's tangi in Benneydale and he showed me the house where he was born. He was taken from his mother and given to his auntie, they said then, he was a very special child. When he came here at 18 years old his kuia said he was a very special child.
Image 1 of 11: Mauriora Kingi's tangi at Whakarewarewa. 09 June 2015 Daily Post photograph by Stephen Parker
"He had the mana and expertise and he also showed it in the Pakeha world and our mayor would vouch for that.
Mr Kingi was born Te Mauri Rangituhaha Kingi. His birth name came as a surprise to his son Te Mauri, who told the assembled crowd he only found out on Friday.
He said mourners were likely to be after stories reiterating his dad was "a good man and all of that stuff".
"To all the aunties and nannies who have helped us through this hard time, to all those who used to give him whisky; we don't mind the whisky now. He looked after us."
The tangi was filmed by Maori TV with a large screen set up to one side of the wharenui.
Mr Kingi's council colleagues were in attendance, as well as a large number of school children.
Tuhourangi-Ngati Wahiao sang a number of songs beneath the marquee set up in front of the wharenui, a tribute to Mr Kingi's long involvement with kapa haka.
Mr Kingi was the longest serving Te Matatini judge and had been involved in Maori performing arts and speech competitions since the 1980s.
His death came days after he was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
He is survived by his children Te Wai Whakaata, Te Mauri and Tawharau.
