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Big Rotorua farewell for Maori leader
To mark the passing of Rotorua Maori leader Te Putuangaanga Mihaka - affectionately known as Putu - a trust he was a member of has made a $10,000 donation to Red Cross to help Christchurch quake victims.
The Ngati Pikiao kaumatua was a strong advocate of Maori rangatahi (young people), played significant roles in organisations like Te Waiariki Purea Trust and was a huge supporter of the waka community (waka ama, waka kopapa, waka tangata, waka taua).
He collapsed at Tangatarua Marae at Waiariki Institute of Technology on Friday after suffering a suspected heart attack. The 59-year-old was taken to Rotorua Hospital where he died on Saturday night surrounded by friends and family.
Te Waiariki Purea Trust chairman John Chadwick said Mr Mihaka was a long-serving senior member who was highly valued for his skills.
To mark his passing, Mr Chadwick said in a letter to The Daily Post that the trust was to make $10,000 donation to Red Cross to assist their work in Christchurch.
Mr Mihaka was farewelled with a funeral at Te Takinga Marae, on the edge of Lake Rotoiti, Mourea yesterday. More than 1000 people attended.
A short ceremony of songs and prayers was carried out before making the journey to the burial site on Motutawa Urupa Reserve
He was taken across Lake Rotoiti to the reserve on a traditional waka.
A guard of honour made of waka paddles was formed as Mr Mihaka's casket was carried down to the waterfront.
About 20 waka, three traditional waka and 160 paddlers were waiting to escort him to his final resting place.
A powerful haka was performed as his body was being carried.
Family member, former colleague and waka leader Bob Te Aonui said Mr Mihaka had been the epitome of waka.
He was instrumental in starting Rotorua's Te Au Rere Waka Ama Club and was the club's kaumatua and an honorary member.
Club captain Hellen Messenger said he would be sadly missed.
Mrs Messenger said he was a mentor for paddlers and had helped their teams reach national level.
"He gave [them] every ounce of support, love and passion he had.''
She said he had a distinctive "gravelly'' voice that was rarely heard raised and was the "go to man'' when they had any troubles.
"[His death] will leave a big gap in our lives.''
Mrs Messenger said it had been an honour to pay tribute to him on the water yesterday.
"It was a fitting send-off for him.''
Mr Te Aonui said the tangi had been awesome.
"The amount of people who have come to pay their respects [over the three days] has been amazing.''
The 160 paddlers, which included students past and present, co-workers, family members and friends, had come from all over the North Island to farewell their great leader.
Mr Te Aonui said they had demonstrated on the lake what Mr Mihaka had taught them over the years.
"His legacy will live on forever, there'll be stories about him for many years,'' Mrs Messenger said.
Mr Mihaka would have celebrated his 60th birthday next month.
He leaves behind his wife, Rotu, sons Kiwhare, Rehua and Hoani, daughter Maia, and mokopuna.
He collapsed at Tangatarua Marae at Waiariki Institute of Technology on Friday after suffering a suspected heart attack. The 59-year-old was taken to Rotorua Hospital where he died on Saturday night surrounded by friends and family.
Te Waiariki Purea Trust chairman John Chadwick said Mr Mihaka was a long-serving senior member who was highly valued for his skills.
To mark his passing, Mr Chadwick said in a letter to The Daily Post that the trust was to make $10,000 donation to Red Cross to assist their work in Christchurch.
Mr Mihaka was farewelled with a funeral at Te Takinga Marae, on the edge of Lake Rotoiti, Mourea yesterday. More than 1000 people attended.
A short ceremony of songs and prayers was carried out before making the journey to the burial site on Motutawa Urupa Reserve
He was taken across Lake Rotoiti to the reserve on a traditional waka.
A guard of honour made of waka paddles was formed as Mr Mihaka's casket was carried down to the waterfront.
About 20 waka, three traditional waka and 160 paddlers were waiting to escort him to his final resting place.
A powerful haka was performed as his body was being carried.
Family member, former colleague and waka leader Bob Te Aonui said Mr Mihaka had been the epitome of waka.
He was instrumental in starting Rotorua's Te Au Rere Waka Ama Club and was the club's kaumatua and an honorary member.
Club captain Hellen Messenger said he would be sadly missed.
Mrs Messenger said he was a mentor for paddlers and had helped their teams reach national level.
"He gave [them] every ounce of support, love and passion he had.''
She said he had a distinctive "gravelly'' voice that was rarely heard raised and was the "go to man'' when they had any troubles.
"[His death] will leave a big gap in our lives.''
Mrs Messenger said it had been an honour to pay tribute to him on the water yesterday.
"It was a fitting send-off for him.''
Mr Te Aonui said the tangi had been awesome.
"The amount of people who have come to pay their respects [over the three days] has been amazing.''
The 160 paddlers, which included students past and present, co-workers, family members and friends, had come from all over the North Island to farewell their great leader.
Mr Te Aonui said they had demonstrated on the lake what Mr Mihaka had taught them over the years.
"His legacy will live on forever, there'll be stories about him for many years,'' Mrs Messenger said.
Mr Mihaka would have celebrated his 60th birthday next month.
He leaves behind his wife, Rotu, sons Kiwhare, Rehua and Hoani, daughter Maia, and mokopuna.
