Remembering Sir Toby Curtis. Video / Andrew Warner
Te Arawa rangatira Sir Toby Curtis has begun his journey to his final resting place above Tapuaekura Marae.
The last ope to pay their respects to Taa Toby did so this morning, with the service starting at midday.
After formal speeches, Te Pikitokutu sang three songs and performed karakia before Taa Toby was taken to the urupa about 2.15pm.
Earlier, guests were shuttled by bus to the marae, and the crowd was seated as Howard Morrison Jnr and his group sang.
Taa Toby Curtis' son, Piripi Curtis, gave the first speech and gave an outline of his father's beginnings being the youngest of 15 in a family that lived off of the land.
Donna Huata speaks at Sir Toby Curtis' funeral service on Monday. Photo / Mead Norton
"He has fought and struggled to bring back our mana Māori motuhake."
Piripi noted the work Taa Toby had done in recognising the impact of colonisation on Māori.
"Ngati Rongomai is on a journey because of his example.
"How deeply colonisation impacted until today."
Former politician Donna Huata said Taa Toby was her sister's friend but he took her under his wing when she moved to Auckland.
November would have marked 38 years of working with him, she said.
She spoke of his beginnings in broadcasting and work on getting the 1989 broadcasting act passed, as well as many other influences he had in politics and improving education for Māori.
Image 1 of 16: Sir Toby Curtis at the site of the new office development in 2016.
Te Arawa Lakes Trust chief executive Karen Vercoe said she was privileged to speak about the last five years she had worked with Taa Toby.
She wanted to share how much the trust staff loved him.
"He would come in the office … he would sit there and for me it was watching leadership in action."
There were times he led robust negotiations, but he did so in a way that maintained relationships, she said.
Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick said she was humbled to be speaking. She spoke of his hugely strategic mind and his contribution to Rotorua.
"We became very dear friends."
She said both he and her husband John were deep intellectuals and would "chew the fat" often. Chadwick noted his determination for co-governance, Māori education and his work around wai health.
Taa Toby "called out cowards" who did not understand the need for equity, she said.
Eight people are expected to speak during the service, including family, Te Arawa Lakes Trust chief executive Karen Vercoe, Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick and deputy police commissioner Wally Haumaha.
Taa Toby, a kaumātua and rangatira of Te Arawa, died on Wednesday aged 82.
Taa Toby, a kaumātua and rangatira of Te Arawa, died on Wednesday aged 82. Photo / Kelly Makiha
Thomas said iwi from Ngā Hau e Whā [the Four Winds] had paid tribute to Taa Toby over the weekend.
"We've had, for example, a wonderful contingent from Ngāi Tahu arrive - their chair, their chief executive, and they brought kai from their part of their world to support the event."
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Taranaki, Tūhoe and Ngāti Awa had also paid tribute, he said.
Tangi for Sir Toby Curtis at Tapuaekura Marae. Photo / Andrew Warner.
"The efforts of our volunteer force, our kitchen hands, have just been outstanding, really, in making sure that our chief is sent in the style that he should be," he said.
"At the same time, we're able to look after all of those people who have travelled many many miles to get here... We've had an amazing outpouring of respect and aroha for Sir Toby."
Thomas said he was expecting more than 800 people to attend the nehu, and he encouraged people to go early, park at the Rotoiti Rugby Club and jump on to one of the rotating shuttle buses.
