Kiwi cloaks for Te Papa chief

Family farewell Te Papa's Dr Bennington

PHIL REID/The Dominion Post

SHOW OF RESPECTt: Seddon Bennington's family stand around his coffin, covered by kiwi-feather cloaks, at Te Papa's marae.

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The body of Te Papa chief executive Seddon Bennington was welcomed back to the museum yesterday ahead of his final farewell today.

Dr Bennington was taken to Te Papa's marae in an eco-coffin and covered with three kiwi-feather cloaks before a farewell that continued through the night.

The 61-year-old and Marcella Jackson, 54, died of hypothermia during a tramp in the Tararuas. Their bodies were recovered last Wednesday.

Yesterday, family members took his coffin to the external entrance of the marae. It was passed to Te Papa staff, who took it up the stairs to the sound of conch shells and traditional Maori instruments. At the top of the stairs, it was again passed to his family.

Museum staff welcomed his casket on to the marae with a haka. It was laid on the marae stage and three kahu kiwi (kiwi-feather cloaks) were placed on it. "Kahu kiwi are very chiefly cloaks," said Te Papa spokeswoman Jane Keig. Placing them over a coffin symbolised "keeping the person warm as he starts making his way towards the ancestors".

One was a cloak believed to have been used in the tangi for premier Richard Seddon in 1906. Ms Keig said this was significant because Dr Bennington had been named after the premier and he had accepted the cloak on behalf of Te Papa from the Seddon family.

Another cloak was from Tuhoe. "Dr Bennington spent quite a bit of time in his younger days with the Tuhoe people, so that was appropriate."

The origins of the third cloak were unknown. It had previously been used for bringing repatriated remains home.

Members of the public were able to pay their respects last night, gathering in a large tent outside Te Papa before being taken on to the marae in groups. At 10pm, the gates were shut and Te Papa staff stayed on the marae with Dr Bennington overnight.

Today, the marae will be closed to the public for his funeral, which starts at 1pm.

Ms Jackson's funeral took place yesterday at St Andrew's on The Terrace in Wellington.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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