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Tolaga Bay is preparing to host the thousands of people expected tomorrow for the funeral of Labour MP and former Māori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia.
Mr Horomia died on Monday at his home in Mangatuna surrounded by whānau.
The steady flow of people through Hauiti Marae has stretched resources in the small East Coast community.
The army has helped the whānau feed manuhiri, and kai has come in from local businesses and Māori farms, other iwi and Te Ohu Kaimoana.
Mourners have testified to the contributions Mr Horomia made both as a politician and as a public servant encouraging small communities around the country to take control of their own development.
Among those at Hauiti Marae this morning were Prime Minister John Key, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English, Speaker David Carter and Act Leader John Banks, who arrived in a Defence Force helicopter.
Mr Horomia’s body will be sealed in its coffin at a family service at 5am tomorrow.
The public funeral will start at 10am and could take two to three hours before he will be buried near the marae.
Radio Waatea will be taking a live broadcast from Radio Ngāti Porou from 8am tomorrow morning till midday.
Copyright © 2013, Uma Broadcasting Ltd
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