Horomia presence obscured by media

The death of Parekura Horomia shows how far apart Pakeha and Maori can be in this country.

Or maybe it's how far apart sections of the media are.

Mainstream media have portrayed the late Mr Horomia as a bit of a buffoon, who gave silly speeches and cruised his way through Parliament.

He was often a figure of derision and stories often focused on his size, and not what he was doing and saying.

What we learn after his death, or perhaps could have learned through Maori media, was that he was a tireless worker who travelled the country relentlessly pursuing a better life for Maori and attending tangi and hui.

He may have given the famous "elliptical speeches" in Parliament as described by Labour leader David Shearer at his tangi - to much laughter - but he was able to communicate clearly elsewhere.

That included everyone from his ariki background to his shopfloor roots - and Parliamentarians from all sides of the House.

He has also been described as the consummate politician. He kept his seat, Ikaroa-Rawhiti, against the tide of the Maori Party.

He survived the abandonment of Closing the Gaps and people's incandescent anger over the Foreshore and Seabed legislation to continue as Minister of Maori Affairs and later retain his seat with a majority of 6500 in the last election.

In Maoridom he had presence.

And that was so much more than his size.