Stuart Harris will be ''sadly and badly'' missed

The late Witarina Harris is escorted by her brother the late Sonny Mitchell (left) and her son the late Stuart Harris, along the red carpet celebrating her 100th birthday. PHOTO/FILE

The people of Ngati Whakaue and Te Arawa are mourning the death of a "good friend" and "hard worker".

Stuart Rotohiko Te Haupapa Harris died at Rotorua Hospital on Christmas Day.

Born March 6 1938, Mr Harris was the youngest son of the late Witarina and Reginald Harris, husband of Beryl Harris, father of Scott, Stephen, Shane and Parewahaika and grandfather to his many mokopuna.

Te Arawa kaumatua Pihopa Kingi said Mr Harris was a very devoted person.

"He was born in Wellington and grew up there and became a qualified carpenter and was well versed in accounting. When he was a grown person he came here and got the executive position at the organisation now known as Te Puia.

"He then became ill and had to retire. He became a trustee on the Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust and remained there for a number of years.

"There he was able to speak about the statements he believed in to a highly long extension, and that was Stuart.

"All his colleagues on the trust are going to miss him badly and sadly," Mr Kingi said.

Te Arawa kaumatua Trevor Maxwell told the Rotorua Daily Post Mr Harris worked hard for his people.

"I feel for his wife Beryl. Stuart will be sadly missed by his people of Te Arawa. He had given a lot to the organisations that he was on.

"And he gave quite a lot to his tribe, Ngati Whakaue. He was a very good debater, he enjoyed attending all the meetings. Over the years I enjoyed reading all his letters to the editor, he always put a lot of thought into them. He was a good friend."

Mr Maxwell said he would like to express his condolences to the family.

Mr Harris will lie at home until tomorrowand will then be taken to Tamatekapua Meeting House on Thursday at 9am.

A service will be held at St Faith's Church at 11am on Thursday, followed by his burial at Kauae cemetery.