All Donna Hake wanted was to take her husband Barna home from hospital to Ruatoki to die.
Her wish became complicated by an accidental fire which destroyed the couple's house - but when Mr Hake, 45, passed away on Sunday he was home.
The well-known Tuhoe activist died on Sunday atthe Ngahina Marae at Ruatoki.
The couple featured in the Daily Post earlier this month after their Ruatoki home of 20 years burnt to the ground while Mr Hake was in Whakatane Hospital with a brain tumour.
His wife had been visiting Mr Hake on September 4 when the fire took hold after the family's stove was left on.
Two days after the fire, Mrs Hake was adamant she would take her husband back to the land he loved - even if it meant shifting into a caravan the couple had on the side of a hill. As a temporary measure, the Hakes moved into one of their daughters' homes in Whakatane after doctors released Mr Hake from hospital.
The Hake whanau then made the Ngahina Marae in Ruatoki home shortly before Mr Hake died.
His funeral will be held at Ngahina Marae at 10am tomorrow.
Well-known in the Eastern Bay of Plenty for his fight for Tuhoe, Mr Hake was easily recognisable with his facial moko. He was often at protests waving the tino rangatiratanga flag and was vocal about his belief that Tuhoe land should not be subjected to council rates.
He made it his job in Ruatoki to ensure wandering stock was rounded up and returned to where it belonged and that fencing in the area was secure.
Mr Hake is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.
