August 23, 2021
Marae plan legacy for Whakatu leader
The tangi for Hawke’s Bay community leader Des Ratima will be held when COVID alert levels are lowered.
Mr Ratima died on Sunday aged 69.
Ngāti Kahungunu chair Ngahiwi Tomoana says his family has agreed to hold him until conditions allow for a larger tangi – probably at least 10 days away.
He also wanted his tangi to be held in the park next to his house at Whakatu.
“He always wanted a marae established there was an original marae once stood before Nāai Tahu moved down south – it was a Ngāi Tahu marae – so he will leave a legacy we should compete his dream of establishing a marae there,” Mr Tomoana says.
He says even going back to their days together at primary school, Des Ratima would put himself in the front line of confrontations, but he would also work to develop solutions to problems such as prisoner rehabilitation or the uplift of children by Oranga Tamariki.
Copyright © 2021, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com