City leaders pushed for Stafford knighthood

Don Stafford was being nominated for a knighthood with letters of support submitted to the Government only last week.
The much loved Rotorua historian and author died on Monday at the age of 82 following a short illness.
His body was to be taken today to Te Papaiouru Marae where he will lie in state until his funeral on Friday.
Labour list MP Steve Chadwick confirmed to The Daily Post she had been asked to write to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in support of an honours reconsideration, which she did without hesitation. Others in the community had also been asked to write letters in support.
Mr Stafford had been awarded an MBE and a CBE in previous honours' lists.
"There was talk of him being a Sir but those honours are not given out posthumously," Mrs Chadwick said.
She believed he was worthy of reconsideration.
In her letter of recommendation, Mrs Chadwick said Mr Stafford had conferred on him by iwi of Te Arawa the highest status, that of rangatira (chief).
"I heard that term used time and time again," Mrs Chadwick said.
"For Don, that was the highest acknowledgment. In his humble way being taken to Tametekapua [meeting house] is the highest honour that this district could confer on him. I know he would have a mischievous smile and he would want to hear the stories being told."
Mrs Chadwick said Mr Stafford, who she knew for about 20 years, was "a dear friend". He was also "a charmer" and "a counsellor to us all".
"He was also part of our fabric here."
Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell was also aware of a possible future honour for Mr Stafford but said that opportunity was now lost.
Te Ururoa Flavell said Mr Stafford was very much respected for his love of history, his ability to "soak it up" and reproduce it in print for future generations.
"He's been very supportive of things Maori and was certainly a well-known icon among Te Arawa and well respected by Te Arawa kaumatua ... he was well-versed in Te Arawa stories. He had an ability to keep stories alive. It's a huge loss and he's probably irreplaceable in [that] respect."
Mr Flavell said Mr Stafford had, however, left a huge legacy in his writings and the contribution he made to Te Arawa.
About 150 members of Te Arawa were to welcome Mr Stafford's body on to Te Papaiouru Marae today.
Surrounded by his family, Mr Stafford died at Rotorua Hospital at 12.15pm on Monday, having spent two weeks in hospital.
His body was taken to his Whakaue St home about 10am yesterday. About a dozen family members and friends gathered outside to welcome a much loved father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. Family members cried as they followed the coffin into Mr Stafford's home.
His older brother Jack hugged people who were there before greeting Reverend Bob Schuster and his family, who arrived with a cloak previously placed over the casket of famous Rotorua guide Rangi.
A close friend of Mr Stafford's, Terry Morrison, said Mr Stafford's body would be taken to Te Papaiouru Marae about 3pm and would be welcomed with a powhiri..
Members of the public were invited to be at the powhiri and to pay their respects to the much loved historian today, tomorrow and Friday morning before his funeral.
Having Mr Stafford at the marae was a huge honour for Te Arawa, Mr Morrison said.
"It's recognition of Don, recognising his impact, his stature and what he has done for Te Arawa."
Mr Morrison said he did not know of any other Pakeha who had been given that honour.
Mr Stafford's body will lie in state at Tamatekapua Meeting House until his funeral at St Faith's Church at 11am on Friday.
Following the funeral Mr Stafford will be driven past his Whakaue St home before taking a final journey through the Government Gardens, past the Rotorua Museum of Art and History, which has a new wing named after him, then along part of Fenton St and Arawa St, past his primary school, Rotorua Primary School, before he is taken to Kauae Cemetery.