Thousands expected at tangi for chief

Press, 24 March 1987, Page 9

Thousands expected at tangi for chief

Thousands of people are expected to attend the tangi for one of the Ngai Tahu (South Island) chiefs, William Joseph Karetai, over the next three days.

Many Maori leaders are among those expected to pay their respects to Mr Karetai, the leader of the Wairewa sub-tribe and representative of the Peninsula and Christchurch Maori people on the Ngai Tahu Trust Board. He was awarded an 0.8. E. in 1985 for service to the Maori people. He also held a Q.S.M. and was a Justice of the Peace. Mr Karetai, who most people called “Joe,” died at Burwood Hospital on Sunday. His body was taken to Wainui yesterday for private family mourning, and will be brought to the Rehua Marae in Springfield Road today, where the tangi will. continue until the funeral at 2 p.m. on Thursday. To many people, Mr Karetai will be remembered for his public speeches. He was an able communicator in both English and Maori, and renowned for careful preparation of his speeches. The assistant director of the Maori Affairs Department, Mr Steven Paewai, said: “Public speaking was his forte. He was very comfortable in both languages.”

Others will remember Mr Karetai for his being able to put people at ease. According to the deputy chairman of the Ngai Tahu Trust Board, Mr Ric Tau, Mr Karetai could always come up with a new yam, which would soon have otherwise tense people laughing. Mr Karetai was also respected for the direct way he dealt with issues. He had a lifetime involvement with Maori issues, at both tribal and political levels, and sat on many committees -and councils. He had a special interest in Maori land issues and became an expert in these. He was a member of the Board of Maori Affairs for many years and served on Te Waipounamii Maori Land Advisory Committee. ,

Through the New Zealand Maori Council, he worked on improving the lot of Maoridom through the social welfare system.

Mr Tau said Mr Karetai i was keen to implement structures which would make life easier for Maori people moving from the country to the cities. “He worked reducing the barriers that country kids come up against when they come into the bright lights,” Mr Tau said.

Mr Karetai was involved in developing the Maori Warden system and later became chairman of Maatua Whaangai ■ (the Maori foster care network) in the South Island, in his quest to improve conflicts of culture faced by some young Maori people. . He was also involved with Te Waipicunamu District Maori Council, as chairman, Wairewa Maori Committee, Wairewa County Council, the Stanmore Road Boys’ Home and the Canterbury Museum Board and was consultant to the Maori Affairs Department He had a long association with the Rehua Marae and was a trustee on the marae board. He had a long career with the Post Office before retiring. At his home district of Little River he developed a keen interest in race horses, particularly trotters.