March 14, 2017
Life of Matthew Abraham celebrated
Friends and former pupils of Matthew 'Sonny' Abraham are remembering the contribution he made to kapa haka and te reo Maori education.
Mr Abraham, from Ngati Kahu and Te Aupouri, died on Saturday aged 70 in Melbourne, where he moved soon after the closure of Queen Victoria Maori Girls Boarding School.
Friend Hone Edwards says under Mr Abraham's tutelage Queen Victoria, often collaborating with St Stephens, went to the top of the Auckland secondary schools kapa haka competition.
He was known for creating memorable action songs and poi and for using moteatea and waiata in ways that appealed to rangatahi.
His adaptation of the poi Kiko is still widely performed around the country.
He also took his pupils to perform at the annual coronation hui at Turangawae Marae, giving them a wider exposure to te ao Maori.
Mr Edwards says his legacy can been seen in the way many of his former students performed at this year's Te Matatini.
He established kapa haka in Melbourne, helping to bring together the Maori community there.
Matthew Abraham will lie in state at Mahurehure Marae in Point Chevalier from 5pm Thursday.
The funeral service will be at the Lady of Assumption Catholic Church in Onehunga at 11 on Saturday morning, followed by a private cremation.
LINK TO FACEBOOK PAGE: Celebrating the life of Matthew Abraham
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