"There were traffic cops on the road. Everywhere was just packed with cars."
Among those attending were other musicians, including members of Twelve Tribes of Israel, Ardijah and Herbs. Māori TV filmed the event.
As well as being a musician Perkins was an āpotoro wairua (a lay reader or spiritual counsellor) of the Rātana Church. Rātana āpotoro rēhita Puhi Pene was there for the tangi, and the Rātana choir sang.
There were also two Rātana bands - the yellow-clad Te Whaea o te Katoa band and the blue-clad Te Reo o te Arepa band.
"It was beautiful seeing the Rātana band there," Te Omeka said.
Hagger said Perkins was a beautiful person, and it was a spiritual and "really loving" tangi.
"The rain put that kind of sadness in it."