Tahu Potiki praised for his leadership at sad farewell

Sunday, 1 September 2019

Tahu Potiki has been farewelled as a true leader of his people. (Video first published on September 1, 2019)

One of the fathers of modern day Ngāi Tahu, influential leader Tahu Potiki, was laid to rest in an emotional tangi.

Hundreds of mourners, including politicians, tribal leaders and patched gang members, came to the Otakou Marae on the Otago Peninsula on Sunday for the farewell.

The tangi followed several days of mourning for Potiki, the former Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu chief executive, who died in Auckland Hospital on Tuesday evening aged 53.

Tahu Potiki, pictured in March 2018, was diagnosed with end-stage liver disease in 2014 and received a liver transplant three years later.

After his cloak covered casket was closed, he was taken from the Tamatea wharenui and farewelled with a fierce haka and emotional waiata from He Waka Kōtuia, the King's and Queen's High Schools Māori performing arts group.

His widow Megan and the couple's three children walked behind his casket.

Hundreds of mourners gather for the tangi of Tahu Potiki at Otakou Marae on the Otago Peninsula.

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Earlier family member Tuari Potiki welcomed mourners, including the hundreds gathered outside the marae and the thousands watching via a livestream, to 'this sad and beautiful day'.

'People have said 'it's a shame it's Father's Day today', but it is the opposite - I think there couldn't be a better day'.'

The service heard Potiki would 'follow the path of his father' - the late Les - and be taken by procession from the marae church to the urupa.

Before the final journey, mourners heard about Potiki's loving childhood in Karitane that included his father telling him stories of their ancestors.

Suzanne Ellison, of Kati Huirapa Runaka ki Puketeraki, said Potiki's love of history and language would forge a successful path into tribal politics.

Family friend Komene Cassidy said Potiki, who became chief executive of his iwi in 2002, oversaw a period of commercial development and expansion.

He was a respected figure across the political divide, an influential advocate for the iwi and Te Reo Māori and worked tirelessly for the 'betterment of his people'.

That work continued after Potiki returned to live on the Otago Peninsula a decade ago.

Potiki was diagnosed with end-stage liver disease in 2014 and received a liver transplant three years later.

Cassidy noted one of the biggest aurora seen in New Zealand over the last five years filled the sky the night Potiki died.

Reverend Donald Phillips said Potiki's name 'will last'.

'He had the innate gift for responsible leadership, marked off as someone whose influence and memory will last, long, long after his death.'

'His family have every reason to be proud of him.'