Ngāi Tūhoe mourns treasured son Tā Pou Temara

Tears and tributes have flowed in Ruatāhuna as mourners from across the country gather to farewell Tā William Te Rangiua Pou Temara.

The celebrated academic, author, historian and teacher of Ngāi Tūhoe descent died on Sunday, surrounded by whānau.

He returned to Mataatua marae yesterday, to his hapū Te Urewera, where he will lie until Thursday.

Whitiaua Ropitini (Ngāi Tūhoe) told Pūkāea News Tā Pou was among the last of a generation raised by kuia and kaumātua, immersed in the tikanga and mātauranga of Te Urewera.

"I pakeke mai i te wā e tunu kai tonu ana ratou i runga i te ahi, e whai tonu ana. e hono tonu ana, e noho ki roto i te tūturutanga o taua ao. E whai tonu ana, e hono tonu ana te noho i roto i te tuturutanga o te taiao i te Urewera, i te tapu o Te Urewera i pakeke mai i roto i ngā tikanga. Koia tēnei reanga. kua tokoiti o te kainga, ka mutu pupuri ki ngā kōrero pupuri ki ngā mātauranga i kite rawa ia."

Ropitini said Tā Pou grew up when meals were still cooked over open fires. His knowledge came from living those traditions, making the preservation of what he shared all the more important as his generation dwindled.

Pūkāea News was at Mataatua marae as he was welcomed home for the final time.

Tā Pou Temara returns home to Mataatua Marae. Video / Pūkāea News

A man loved and mourned by many

Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po led the first ope (group) onto Mataatua marae this morning it included a large contingent from Tainui, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Porou and Ngāti Awa.

Ngāti Awa also brought the kawe mate of Tā Hirini Moko Mead, another revered leader lost this year.

Rāhui Papa said the outpouring of grief reflected the standing of Tā Pou acknowledging specifically his enduring connection with Tainui and the Kiingitanga.

Ko te amorangi ki mua, Ko te hāpai ō ki muri

As news of his death spread, Mataatua Marae and all marae across Ruatāhuna alongside whānau from across Te Rohe Pōtae o Tūhoe rallied to prepare Mataatua marae for his homecoming.

Te Kaahuirangi Te Rire told Pūkāea News the hāpai ō divided into groups to prepare for the influx of manuhiri.

Some organised the pōwhiri, others readied food and facilities, while others gathered meat and supplies.

She said the many people working in front of and behind the pae reflected the love his people held for their kaumātua.

"Ahakoa te taumaha kei roto i a matou, ko te mea nui kei te oti nga mahi i runga i te aroha koira te mea nui kia matou kia kaua e pokea mātou I te taumaha pea..."

Despite their grief, she said, aroha remained at the heart of the work.

Ruatāhuna community prepares marae and all aspects required to manaaki manuhri. Video / Pūkāea News