February 28, 2013
Ralph Hotere returning to Mitimiti
The whānau at Mātihetihe Mārae in Mitimiti has spent the week preparing artist Ralph Hotere back to his birthplace.
Hotere, who was made a member of the Order of New Zealand for his contribution to the arts, died on Sunday aged 81.
He was farewelled at his home city of Dunedin yesterday with a requiem mass at St Joseph's Catholic Cathedral attended by thousands of people.
Speakers included Arts Minister Chris Finlayson, Māori Party co-leader Dr Pita Sharples and poet Bill Manhire, whose poems formed the text in many of Hotere's paintings.
The body will be flown to North Hokianga by helicopter this afternoon for the tangi.
Kaumatua John Martin says once he arrives, the whānau will decide the day for the funeral.
He says a new water treatment plant means there should be adequate water for the thousands expected for the tangi, but people need to drive carefully on the metal roads to the remote settlement.
The last petrol station is at Rawene across the harbour, and there is no shop or cell phone coverage.
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