A Big Man With a Big Heart
 
MANA Leader and MP for Te Tai Tokerau Hone Harawira
 
Tribute to Parekura Horomia
 
1 May 2013
 
 
Leader of the MANA Movement and MP for Te Tai Tokerau Hone Harawira has added his tribute to the many others offered to the memory Ikaroa Rawhiti MP Parekura Horomia.
 
“Parekura was a big man with a big heart” said Harawira “about whom the saying ‘he gave his heart for his people’ was never truer”.
 
“I first met Parekura when I saw this big Maori guy stranded in Kaitaia 25 years ago” said Harawira. “He looked a bit lost so I invited him back to our family home for the night and we became good mates”.
 
“He repaid the favour a few years later by giving me a job and we’ve been swearing at one another and laughing with one another ever since”.
 
“Much has been made of his distinguished political record, but his real talent was the fact that even people who didn’t agree with him couldn’t help but like the guy” said Harawira. “Parekura was a worker and a proud Coastie and I know how much he was loved in his electorate, but he was popular everywhere”.
 
“I knew he’d had a turn over Christmas and along with other Maori MPs I tried get him to slow down but he wouldn’t listen” said Harawira. “I got home from an overseas trip on Sunday night, and when I heard he was sick I jumped on the first plane out of Kaitaia on Monday afternoon, but by the time I got to his home in Mangatuna, he’d passed away.”
 
“Sir Wira Gardiner was there and we joined with some of Parekura’s whanau in sharing a few hilarious stories about Pare (of which there are likely to be thousands) and I hope to hear a lot more of them when I go back down on Friday for his last night and his funeral on Saturday”.
 
“Funerals are supposed to be solemn and I’m sure Parekura’s will be. But his life was rarely solemn and I intend sharing as many laughs as tears when I send him off” said Harawira.
 
ENDS

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