Down-home Kiwi sendoff for Lange

Peter Leitch aka "The Mad Butcher" says sausages wrapped in bread with sauce will be on the menu at the public memorial service for former Prime Minister David Lange at Ericsson Stadium today. Picture / Paul Estcourt

The public memorial for former Prime Minister David Lange in Auckland today is likely to be a "relaxed, down-home Kiwi affair", says MC Gary McCormick.

McCormick, a close friend of Mr Lange, said the memorial at Ericsson Stadium Supertop would balance mourning with celebration.

"We're determined to make it relaxed and fun," he said.

The lineup for the event, which starts at 11am, includes performances by musicians and guest speakers and a free barbecue.

Dave Dobbyn, Midge Marsden and the Auckland Pacific Gospel Choir are among the performers.

Speakers include family members and Prime Minister Helen Clark.

Her spokesman said she was likely to pay tribute to Mr Lange - Prime Minister from 1984 to 1989, who died last Saturday - with an informal speech. "She won't have a script," he said.

The Mad Butcher, Peter Leitch, is putting on the barbecue. He said the menu would be sausages wrapped in bread with sauce. "Nice and simple as David would've liked it."

Mr Leitch did not know how many sausages he would need, saying it was impossible to predict the size of the crowd.

Other companies had donated the bread and sauce. Mr Leitch said his staff had been keen to volunteer to work at the memorial.

He was happy to put the barbecue on for Mr Lange, who used to live six doors down from his Mangere shop and was a regular there.

"There are some things you feel it's an honour to do because he's an icon of New Zealand."

Mr Lange's brother Peter said the day's events had been carefully judged to achieve the right balance between seriousness and fun.

"We don't want it to be a solemn memorial, but we don't want it to be a comedy either."

He said TVNZ film clips could provoke an emotional reaction.

Mr Lange's wife, Margaret Pope, said the huge number of cards and messages she had received since her husband's death was overwhelming.

"I'm just astonished at how kind people have been."

SERVICE DETAILS

WHERE

The Supertop at Ericsson Stadium. There is seating for 2000 people inside, with further standing room and big screens inside and out.

TIME

11am today. The ceremony is expected to last two hours.

ADMISSION

Free, and everyone is welcome.

MC

Mr Lange's long-time friend Gary McCormick.

PERFORMERS

Dave Dobbyn, Hammond Gamble, Nesian Mystic, Adeaze, Ben Makisi, Midge Marsden, De La Salle choir Auckland Pacific Island Gospel Choir.

GUEST SPEAKERS INCLUDE

Prime Minister Helen Clark, Sir Edmund Hillary, Mr Lange's sister Margaret, brother Peter and son Roy, Maungakiekie MP Mark Gosche, and representatives from the Indian and Samoan communities, rugby league and rallying.

AFTER THE CEREMONY

The Mad Butcher, Peter Leitch, will provide sausages to feed everyone.

GETTING THERE

Organisers suggest people arrive at 10am at the Maurice Rd entrance to the stadium if on foot. There is a parking area on the O'Rorke Rd side of Ericsson, and street parking nearby. No public access via the Beasley Ave entrance, and the Maurice Rd entrance will be closed to cars. A No 392 bus goes from Victoria St East to O'Rorke Rd (timetable details from Rideline 366-6400 or www.maxx. co.nz). Trains run from Britomart to Penrose Station, a 10-15 minute walk from the stadium.