It was a day of both commemoration and celebration for members of the Vercoe family as a headstone for former school principal Hawea Vercoe was unveiled.
Just over a year ago the 36-year-old Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Rotoiti principal and first-term Bay of Plenty Regional councillor was killed in
Whakatane.
His unveiling was held at Puketapu Urupa on Saturday and afterwards a feast was held at nearby Tuteao Marae in Te Teko.
Mr Vercoe died on November 22 last year after being attacked by 21-year-old Opotiki man Isaiah Tai in Whakatane. Tai pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to two years and 10 months' jail.
Mr Vercoe's family and the Crown are appealing Tai's sentence because they believe it was too short.
However, his aunt Rehi Vercoe said any thoughts of the future were put aside at the weekend as family came together to commemorate Mr Vercoe's life and celebrate the wedding of another family member and the 45th wedding anniversary of his parents, Waaka and Rosalind Vercoe.
"It was a time to remember not only Hawea, but those who have gone before him, especially his brother, who is buried right next to him," she said.
Mr Vercoe's older brother Tamaoho died of cancer 16 years ago and the family saw Hawea's unveiling as a good time to remember both young men, taken before their time.
About 600 people attended the unveiling which Rehi Vercoe said was testament to his popularity.
"It was great to see a lot of whanau who have come here from all over, some from Australia as well," she said.
"His headstone was designed by his children and carved by one of his oldest friends, so it was very special."
She said the heavy headstone had to be moved into place with a front-end loader.
"It was all about remembering Hawea and his brother and all the happy times we had with them. I think it was a happy atmosphere but in our hearts it was still very sad. He was far too young."
Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Rotoiti marked Mr Vercoe's passing last Monday with the blessing of a memorial garden and launching of a floating wetland on Lake Rotoiti.
