Rodney farewells Sir Gordon

LAST JOURNEY: Reverend Jan Olsen leads as Sir Gordon's coffin is carried from the church, with Sir Gordon's wife Tui, rear, third from left, and other family members following.

PACKED OUT: Mourners crammed every available space, many even standing outside.

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Sir Gordon Mason only stood for council because he was fed up with bad roads, former Rodney District Council chief executive officer Brian Sharplin told more than 400 people at Sir Gordon's funeral in Warkworth on Friday.

He stayed for 32 years, and in that time saw many of them sealed.

Mr Sharplin of Whangaparaoa described Sir Gordon as "no-nonsense, black-and-white, a mans' man who knew what he wanted and how to get it".

"He had the ability to endure others until they gave in better than anyone I know," he said.

"Rodney, particularly the northern part, was his life."

Mourners packed the Warkworth Anglican Christ Church, its hall and a marquee, while more stood under umbrellas in the rain.

They heard how the rapidly increasing population of the former Waitemata county and later Rodney brought associated difficulties with infrastructure.

Many of the things which needed doing in the district were done by the time Sir Gordon retired from the council in 1992,

Mr Sharplin said Sir Gordon fought hard to get things done within the limits of what the area could afford. "He watched every dollar like a hawk."

Sir Gordon took everything in his stride, he added.

"I was asked once how it felt to be the second most hated man in Rodney," said Mr Sharplin, referring to a comment from a council critic. "Like a fool I asked who was first. `That bloody Gordon Mason' was the reply," said Mr Sharplin to laughter.

He said the pair of them trusted each other and knew what each one was thinking.

"Sometimes we sat late because he never closed a meeting until everyone agreed."

Mr Sharplin said Sir Gordon both worked hard and played hard.

"He would have wanted me to say one last thanks to his wife of more than 65 years Tui. We are ever so grateful for knowing and working so closely with Sir Gordon. I hope all of you are proud."

Mr Sharplin said Sir Gordon's passing was the end of an era. Rodney northern ward councillor Dave Parker described Sir Gordon's beginnings pumping petrol in Warkworth, on to his driving and then owning a cartage business, and meeting the love of his life Tui along the way.

Rodney deputy mayor John Kirikiri also paid tribute to Sir Gordon. Others at the service included Rodney MP Lockwood Smith, former Rodney mayor John Law, Auckland mayor John Banks, former Henderson mayor and Local Government Association member Assid Corban, and many past and present councillors and staff.

Sir Gordon, 89, was interred at Kaipara Flats Cemetery.

- © Fairfax NZ News