Maori warriors lead Sir Howard Morrison's whanau

BY KERI WELHAM, AT OHINEMUTU

Extended family, Maori leaders and dignitaries have gathered before the body of Sir Howard Morrison to honour the entertainer's life.

As a sudden downpour of pounding rain hit the Rotorua settlement of Ohinemutu this morning, Sir Howard's body was moved into his family marae.

A slow procession of whanau was led by several Maori warriors. Police flanked the hearse, walking in the pelting rain.

Around 10am, the hearse stopped on the marae forecourt and family members carried the casket into Tamatekapua, the premier meeting house of the Te Arawa tribe, at Te Papaiouru Marae, on the shores of Lake Rotorua, Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell spoke during proceedings in the wharenui.

Others present included Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia, Associate Maori Affairs Minister Georgina te Heuheu, Te Puni Kokiri CEO Leith Comer and other Maori leaders from around New Zealand.

Sir Michael Fay was in Rotorua and took the opportunity to pay respects to a former contemporary. The men, along with Sir Richard Hadlee, were knighted together in 1990.

"This was just a chance to say thank you and farewell."

Tuhoe entered the marae about 11.30am, and Ngati Tuwharetoa was expected to arrive to pay respects this afternoon.

Sir Howard, 74, who had a history of heart problems, died at his Ohinemutu home on the shore of Lake Rotorua yesterday morning. A funeral will be held on Tuesday.

He lay at his home last night where family and friends paid their last respects, before the public tangi began today.

Sir Howard, one of the New Zealand's best known entertainers, is survived by Rangiwhata Ann Manahi, known as Kuia, his wife of 52 years, and a daughter and two sons - Donna, Richard and Howard Jr.

He will be buried alongside members of his whanau at Rotorua's Kauae Cemetery on Tuesday after the 11am service.

Family spokesman and acclaimed actor Temuera Morrison said his uncle's farewell would be a "huge celebration of a great life".

The last surviving member of the Howard Morrison Quartet, Wi Wharekura, Maori King Tuheitia Paki and dignitaries from across all walks of New Zealand life were expected to attend the funeral.

Wharekura said yesterday he was struggling to come to terms with Sir Howard's death.

Wharekura planned to fly from Australia, where he now lives, to Rotorua tomorrow to attend Sir Howard's tangi and funeral.

Speaking from the Gold Coast, Wharekura said he had spent the early part of the day banging his head against a wall as he tried to comprehend the news.

"I am totally and utterly devastated," he said.

He and Sir Howard had met in the fifth form at Rotorua High School, later to become Rotorua Boys High School.

A group which included original quartet members and their extended whanau had, at the young Sir Howard's urging, sung at the Rotorua Soundshell Talent Quest and won.

"That was 1956, we sang as a group and it just snowballed."

Sir Howard's brother Laurie was also involved in the early days, but when guitarist Gerry Merito joined Sir Howard, Kingi and Wharekura, the most famous run of the quartet occurred.

Their hits included Hoki Mai, My Old Man's An All Black, The Battle of the Waikato and Where Have All The Flowers Gone?

Wharekura said he was grateful for the opportunities Sir Howard and the quartet had given him.

"He made something out of me. When he was knighted he became a legend. I have always been on his coat-tails, whether I wanted to be or not," he said.

Sir Howard had died peacefully, Temuera Morrison said.

"He's got a little smile on his face."

As well as having a beautiful voice Sir Howard always had an element of cheek about him, Temuera Morrison said.

He liked to "sus" people out to see where they were coming from.

"He was very charismatic, performing everywhere. He had a remarkable following and the special gift of feeling an audience as he worked his way to his crescendo."

Among the first to pay tribute and extend condolences was Dame Malvina Major with whom Sir Howard had frequently sung and toured.

They toured the country with their show A Knight And A Dame in 2005.

She said she had a special friendship with him.

"I told him when I first toured with him that I wanted to be the fifth member of the quartet, because I loved the music," she told TV One.

Sir Howard's family were aware of the number of heartfelt tributes pouring on to websites in recognition of his great talent.

"They are very touched. It is very warming, very heartening," cousin Monty Morrison said.

Mourning also extended to the tourism sector, which said it has lost a great ambassador.

Sir Howard was a member of the New Zealand Tourism Board in the late 1990s and an active promoter of Maori culture both in New Zealand and offshore.

"Sir Howard's fine voice helped to raise awareness of Maori culture, which is so closely aligned with New Zealand's identity and such an integral part of the tourism industry," said Tourism New Zealand chief executive George Hickton.

FUNERAL PLANS

Sir Howard's funeral service will begin at 11am on Tuesday at St Faiths Church, Ohinemutu.

His body will be taken to Kauae cemetery at Ngongotaha, five kilometres from Rotorua, for burial about 1pm on Tuesday.

TRIBUTES POUR IN

"I am totally and utterly devastated."

Howard Morrison Quartet member Wi Wharekura, speaking from Australia's Gold Coast.

"He's our greatest entertainer, that's for sure."

Entertainer Ray Woolf, who appeared on advertisements for Bic lighters with Sir Howard for 12 years.

"Sir Howard, sleep deeply in the slumber of the myriads who've gone before. The sounds of the deep-throated-tui will no longer be heard from the great forest of Tane."

Tamati Reedy, who worked with Sir Howard when Dr Reedy was secretary of the Maori Affairs Department in the 1980s.

"Sir Howard loved the song I Did It My Way and he certainly lived up to the words he sang so beautifully."

Rotorua-based Labour MP Steve Chadwick.

"Rotorua has lost one of its proud sons today."

Rotorua National MP Todd McClay.

"One thing I do regret is not doing a tour with him. Now he's gone I wish we had pursued it more."

Entertainer John Rowles.

"He didn't have to practise, he came from a family of singers ... He was brought up on Italian opera."

First cousin Remi Morrison.

"When you're with a god like that, you don't expect them to go ... he was better than perfect and that didn't satisfy him."

Howard Morrison Quartet member Hori Bennett.

"There was no one like him ... give him an audience, some lights and a band, he would go on forever."

Composer Carl Doy, who worked with Sir Howard for 35 years.

- with NATHAN BEAUMONT, NIKKI MACDONALD and NZPA

- © Fairfax NZ News