Nga Paerangi yesterday farewelled their son and kaumatua, Morvin Te Anatipa Simon.
Mr Simon died in Wellington Hospital on May 14.
Hundreds travelled to the tangi at Kaiwhaiki Marae on the Whanganui River, and yesterday they returned for the funeral. The waiata of Kaiwhaiki - Valley of Voices, filled the marae as the people arrived; the students from Mr Simon's former school Hato Paora College, and the many whose lives he had touched in his years as a cultural adviser, senior te reo Maori tutor for Te Wananga o Aotearoa, choirmaster, leader of Te Matapihi, and as a quiet leader of his people.
Katrina Hawira, a former student and now a te reo tutor herself, said Mr Simon was highly revered and respected through his mahi and all that he did.
"He was consummate. You would go to Morvin for support or guidance. Other speakers are not at that calibre. I don't think his shoes could ever be filled."