Te Arawa leader Arapeta Tahana has been given an appropriate send-off by thousands of family and friends who loved and respected him. More than 2000 people shared laughter and tears as Ngati Pikiao farewelled one of their great leaders. Former Rotorua mayor Grahame Hall said yesterday's service at Tapuaeharuru Marae, Rotoiti wasa fitting send-off to a man with huge mana among his people. "We had a wonderful [working] relationship during my time in council with everything we did. I always found him good to work with, certainly a man of the people. "I think he has had a wonderful send-off. It's great to see so many people here." In an emotional speech, long time friend Toby Curtis talked of a great man who had put his people's needs before his own. He said Te Arawa had lost a number of great leaders over the last few weeks with Sir Howard Morrison's death and now Mr Tahana's. Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell agreed it was sad to lose another leader so soon. "He has filled some important roles for us here in Te Arawa at the polytech and of course, on the Te Arawa Lakes Trust and he has been acknowledged as one of our leaders, taking up the mantel on behalf of Ngati Pikiao. He is going to be sorely missed on the back of Sir Howard and others who have been mentioned today. "We've got to really start putting things in place in terms of succession planning." Mr Tahana died last week of a suspected heart attack while exercising at Gold's Gym. He was 64. Waiariki Institute of Technology chief executive Pim Borren said Mr Tahana had left a wonderful legacy. "I know he had a difficult time there. He was our second chief executive, I'm the seventh. We had quite a few problems getting some stability after he left, to be frank. His legacy is carrying on. We've got the wonderful marae ... but also the focus on biculturalism. Of the chief executives, he is the first to pass away." Actor Temuera Morrison described Mr Tahana as an unsung hero. "He has lived his life, living the life that he has preached. He was a rare breed. It is a sad day for Ngati Pikiao."
