Listen Now: 
April 13, 2017
Des Ripi remembered as kaumatua with a heart of gold
Waatea Team
Posted On April 13, 2017
Tributes are flowing for Corrections Department kaumatua Tihema Hamiora Des Ripi of Ngati Whatua and Ngai Takoto, who passed away at his Albany home on Tuesday aged 72.
Mr Ripi worked in prisons for more than 20 years and was known for his compassion and his willingness to promote new ways to improve the lot of prisoners.
He helped set up carving and art courses for inmates leading to the long running Inside Out art exhibitions, which show prisoners’ art to the community while raising money for charity.
He was awarded a Queens Service Medal in 2006.
Des Ripi is lying in state at Whatua Kaimarie Marae in the Auckland DHB’s Manawanui Oranga Hinengaro centre in Point Chevalier until Saturday.
The funeral cortege will make a loop around the grounds of Paremoremo Prison before the burial at Snapper Rock in Albany.
!["p_facebook"]("/site/uma/images/story_img/facebook.jpg")
& !["p_twitter"]("/site/uma/images/story_img/twitter.jpg")
Copyright © 2017, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
RELATED NEWS
