Key John: Obituaries — Hon Parekura HoromiaText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeKey John: Obituaries — Hon Parekura Horomia[Sitting date: 07 May 2013. Volume:689;Page:9591. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister): I moveThat the House place on record its high sense of the devoted and distinguished service rendered to his people and New Zealand by the late Hon Parekura Horomia a member of this House representing Ikaroa-Rāwhiti from 1999 and holding the Māori Affairs portfolio from 2000 to 2008 who died on 29 April 2013; and respectfully tender to his whānau its sincerest sympathy in their tragic bereavement; and that as a mark of respect to the memory of the late member the House do now adjourn.Tātou katoa e huihui nei tēnā koutou katoa.[To all of us gathered here salutations to you all.]Parekura Horomia was a man of immense mana who worked tirelessly for his people and he was taken from us far too soon. It is extremely rare for New Zealand to lose a member of Parliament and in my 11 years in this House Parekura is just the third member to pass away. Although today is a time for us to pay tribute to Parekura it is also a time to reflect on the loss of Rod Donald and Allan Peachey and to reflect on the other former members of this House who have passed away in recent years.Over the past week we have all heard stories of Parekura’s achievements. There has been an endless supply of amusing stories about Parekura from iwi community groups non-governmental organisations and sports clubs.He was elected to this House as the member forIkaroa-Rāwhitiin 1999. I am told that he made it his mission to travel the length and breadth of this extensive electorate and he did just that. This was no mean feat asIkaroa-Rāwhiticovers the size of seven general electorates stretching from just north of Wellington all the way up the East Coast. Before entering this House Parekura had a varied career and much of his time was spent on the land. He spent time working as a fencer scrub-cutter and farmer. He also did a stint as a shearer and I note Mr Speaker that you yourself said that perhaps you could have given him a run for his money in the shearing sheds. Parekura also spent time working in the localGisborne Herald offices before moving on to a career with the Department of Labour both locally in Gisborne and here in Wellington.We can all acknowledge Parekura as a man of his people. To Parliament he brought an unfailing connection with his community and the ability to bridge between leaders and ordinary Kiwis. As a nation we have come together over the past week to share in the grief of losing a colleague and a friend to many. Parekura had the rare ability of bridging the parliamentary divide. The spirit of bipartisanship within which Parekura operated is very powerful very special and very rare to find. He became the person able to bring all Māori MPs together from across the House. As a senior Māori member and former Minister of Māori Affairs his experience and mana were often drawn upon and in many respects Parekura was Parliament’s kaumātua figure. On any marae in the country and especially amongst his own people he was in his element. I myself remember a number of occasions when he came up when I was on the marae to ensure that I was comfortable and aware of the protocols and procedures.The respect he commanded was born from his tireless work for his people—the people fromIkaroa-Rāwhiti and all of Māoridom. I heard a touching story last week from my cultural adviser Lewis Moeau who spent 4 years working for Parekura duringhis time as Minister of Māori Affairs. Lewis tells me it was not unusual for Parekura to arrive at a tangi as late as midnight which is not traditionally the done thing but in at least three cases that was the earliest he could get there. He knew how important it was to pay his respects in this way. The thousands of New Zealanders from all walks of life who made the journey to Hauiti Marae over the course of Parekura’s tangi last week are testament to the many lives that he touched. Parekura’s family and his iwi Ngati Porou have shared him with all of New Zealand for the past 14 years.Last week the people of Gisborne and particularly Hauiti Marae opened their gates to allow us all to share in their grief and to pay our respects to Parekura Horomia. As Prime Minister I thank you for the warm welcome you gave me and those accompanying me. Your welcome did not distinguish between the mourners and the hospitality you showed all of us was widely appreciated. I say thank you for pulling together to host us all at a time of great personal sorrow. I am told that over the course of the week Hauiti Marae and the small community of 800 hosted 12500 visitors which is an impressive feat and I know this put immense pressure on your resources so thank you. Let us all share in your grief after years of sharing your father grandfather brother uncle cousin and friend. Now Parekura has been returned to you his family for his final rest.Despite our political differences and because of our shared love of making up words I have always had enormous respect for Parekura and his command of the English language. He never forgot where he came from and why he was here in Parliament. Parekura played an extremely important role in building the strong and positive relationship that currently exists between Māori and the Crown and I hope his family are as proud of his achievements in this area as in every other. Parekura was staunchly loyal to his Prime Minister to his party and most important to his people. Through some of the most difficult times he took counsel from the people he was elected to serve. Through everything he championed a better deal for Māori. He did so across party lines and he was not afraid to fight for what he believed in. I will remember his presence in this Chamber his big smile and his warm heart. E te rangatira Parekura haere rā. To the chief Parekura farewell.