THE FUNERAL AT JUDEA PA

Te Ao Hou, June 1960, Page 7

THE FUNERAL AT JUDEA PA By Fred Pinfold, a headmaster now retired, and an old friend of Dr Winiata: The reaction at Tauranga when the news was known was stunned unbelief, but the members of the Ngati-Ranginui of Judea, in spite of still being tired from their work over the week-end for the Kingi-Pokai, manned Tamatea Pokaiwhenua and swung into action for what eventually turned out to be the biggest tangi ever held in the district. The action of the New Zealand Broadcasting Service in following the nine o'clock news broadcast on which the death was announced by a eulogy from Mr Jones, and a passage of quiet music, was deeply appreciated by those who had time to listen, and especially by Mrs Winiata, who, with her family listened privately on their car radio. It is difficult to compute with accuracy what the number of mourners was; ten thousand has been suggested, as it is known that thirteen thousand meals were served over the four days. At the service, it was estimated that 2,500 people were present. The action of the Waikato King contingent, in manning the whare-kai towards the end of proceedings was appreciated by the local people who by that time, were suffering rather severely from strain and fatigue. There came to the marae the Hon. E. T. Tirikatene and the official government group: Mrs Tirikatene, Messrs M. R. and P. Te H. Jones and others, W. H. Cocker, Chancellor of the Auckland University, S. G. Morrison, Director of Adult Education; M. te Hau, W. G. Rosenberg, of the School of Architecture; Dr M. Groves, Mr Bilmer, School of Anthropology; J. Waititi, K. Dewes, Colonel Awatere, Mrs Wright and Mrs Cooper, of the Maori Women's Welfare League; Bishop Panapa, the Mayor of Tauranga, the Mayor of Auckland, and many other distinguished people.

The funeral oration was given by Rev. A. Everil Orr, Auckland, president of the Methodist Church of New Zealand. He said that with the death of Dr Winiata, one of God's good men, a prince had fallen. The loss was great and could not be described. Dr Winiata had made a great contribution to New Zealand and had seen his own influence grow and his ideals begin to spread. A man of many qualities, he was fearless in acknowledging what he believed to be right and because of these qualities, his stature would grow with the years, said Mr Orr. Dr Winiata had found his religion and his works a release from his great energies and abilities, both of which were given without stint. “His gifts of humanity and sincerity had helped him to break down many barriers. He had love in his heart and compassion in his soul. He died bravely and well and we say farewell with gratitude for the long days we were privileged to spend with him.”