Kiingitanga mourns trusted pillar Tā Pou Temara

Hundreds of mourners are gathering in Ruatāhuna to farewell Tā William Te Rangiua Pou Temara, a revered figure of te ao Māori whose guidance helped sustain generations of Kiingitanga leadership.

The celebrated academic, historian, author and teacher died on Sunday surrounded by whānau.

At Mataatua Marae, iwi representatives, leaders and whānau from across the country are paying tribute to his knowledge, service and enduring relationships.

Among those mourning is Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po, who led the first ope onto the marae on Tuesday morning.

She has since remained beside Tā Pou and his whānau in the whare mate.

Her presence reflects a relationship built on deep trust, affection and generations of connection between Tā Pou and the Kiingitanga.

Appointed to Tekau-mā-rua, the Kiingitanga advisory council, by Kiingi Tuheitia, Tā Pou was a trusted adviser and steadfast source of support.

Following the death of Kiingi Tuheitia two years ago, he continued that service as a guide and protector for his daughter, Te Arikinui.

Mamae Takerei told Pūkāea News his death had left a void that could not be filled.

"Ka aha te ao Māori ināianei? Ko tāku kē, kua kore te reo o te kaumātua mō te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po. Kua mutu i a Pou… kua mutu."

She mourned the loss of a kaumātua whose voice, knowledge and guidance had supported Te Arikinui.

Rāhui Papa said the relationship with Tā Pou and the Kiingitanga spanned generations.

His bond with Kiingi Tuheitia combined humour, friendship and deep discussion about the challenges of their time.

The two also shared a birthday - 21 April.

"Ko rāua ko te Kiingi Tuheitia rā, whānau he rā rite, ko te rua tekau mā tahi o Aperira, ko rāua rāua tērā. He hoa katakata ko rāua rāua tērā. He hoa hōhonu nei te whakaaro, ka wānanga i ngā tini kaupapa o te wā."

That friendship remained central to Papa's tribute.

"Tino hoa a Kiingi Tuheitia rāua ko Pou, koirā te aroha kua noho mai, me kiī ai, kua takoto mai a Pou hei korowai, te whakarite, mō ngā waewae o tō tātou Kiingi kua ngaro."

The grief of the Kiingitanga is shared widely across te ao Māori, where Tā Pou earned enduring respect through a lifetime of teaching and service.

Among the last generation raised in total immersion in te ao Māori at his marae, he treasured the knowledge entrusted to him by his kuia and kaumātua - and devoted his life to protecting and passing it on.