January 08, 2020
Te Pare Joseph a man of peace and service
Final farewells will be said today for Te Pare Joseph of Ngāti Maniapoto, whose decades of leadership in politics, media and religion earned respect across the motu.
Mr Joseph, an āpotoro takiwā of Te Haahi Rātana and the manager for two decades of Radio Maniapoto, died on Sunday aged 90.
Henare Kingi from Radio Te Upoko o Te Ika says his friend had a deep knowledge of the Rātana movement and of Kīngitanga.
He was also a champion of Māori language and culture.
“He made sure his broadcasters all spoke in te reo Māori. He said it was important a Māori station did that.
“Pare was an elder who stayed through as a manager, he had the reo and he understood the Māori way of life.”
As well as farming, Mr Joseph also served as a Rātana minister through his life.
Mr Kingi says despite being president of Mana Motuhake, Mr Joseph also supported his local MP, the late Koro Wetere, travelling with him to events around the motu.
“He was a man who organised himself properly, wherever he went. If he did anything, first he would offer praise to God and prepare himself spiritually, before he left home.
“He was a wonderful man. His whole face showed rangimarie, the peaceful path around him.”
The funeral service for Te Pare Kaui Joseph is being held this morning at Ōpārure Marae in Te Kūiti.
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