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State funeral for Sir Apenera
Sir Apenera Short farewelled today
Moving farewell to a great pioneer
E Tamariki Oro Piako
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State funeral for Sir Apenera
Thu
16 Jun
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Sir Apenera Short celebrating his 90th birthday in 2006.He died yesterday at 96.
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One of the countrys most prominent leaders has died, leaving 14 children, dozens of grandchildren and a huge legacy behind.
Sir Apenera Pera Short died at 96 in his Muri home yesterday morning.
He was the one of the countrys first cabinet ministers and its longest-serving Queens Representative.
Sir Apenera was born in Takuvaine in 1915 to Tupe Short of Takitumu and Rangi Marama of Ngati Karika, but raised in Ngatangiia by his adopted parents Tuaeu and Matanoanoa. Of the Takitumu chiefly line, he always felt his allegiances lay with Takitumu.
His father held the Takau title, and Sir Apenera was later invested as Takau Rangatira, the rangatira for Pa Tepaeru who was the mother of current titleholder Pa Marie Ariki.
He excelled at primary school and won the Pomare Medal for excellence in scholarship, which was awarded to one student from each primary school.
Sir Apenera started his career as a teacher at Ngatangiia School and worked as a teacher at Tereora College, and later went on to become the first Cook Islander to earn degrees in audit and economics from Oxford University.
When he returned from the UK, Sir Apenera became registrar of the first Cook Islands co-operative, which enabled local people to work for themselves, lease land and take out loans for homes, vehicles and farming equipment.
Sir Apeneras son Tupe says that in those days, the National Bank did not lend money to local people, and his fathers co-operative enabled the people of the Cook Islands to stand on their own two feet.
Sir Apenera also served as treasurer on the national council of the Cook Islands Christian Church.
He was born a traditional leader, but had the intellect and influence to push to the political forefront.
Sir Apenera was 49 when he entered the Cook Islands Legislative Assembly as a minister, thus becoming one of the countrys first political leaders.
He was one of Albert Henrys right hand men, says his eldest son Tupe. As minister he actively supported agriculture, and was instrumental in the establishment of commercial banana plantations on Aitutaki and pineapple plantations on Atiu, Mauke and Mangaia.
Sir Apeneras government was also responsible for including the House of Ariki in the Cook Islands Constitution.
He was knighted in the 1990s and served three terms as the Queens Representative (1990-2001).
Hes a great man for this nation and the last one of those who started self-government, son Tupe said yesterday.
Deputy prime minister Tom Marsters who is acting prime minister in Henry Punas absence yesterday announced that the government will hold a state funeral for Short at the National Auditorium on Friday. The funeral is to begin at 10am.
Sir Apenera Short farewelled today
Fri
17 Jun
A state funeral for the late Sir Apenera Short, who passed away on Wednesday morning, will start at 10am today. Everyone should arrive by 9.45am.
A family service will precede the state funeral.
Police will escort Sir Apeneras hearse from Rarotonga Hospital ahead of the service, and Ngati Vakatini will receive the casket at Ngatipa shop in Tupapa.
From the main road to the Aotearoa Centre, Ngati Vakatini will accompany the hearse, and from there to the National Culture Centre the Atiu community will take over as pall bearers.
The Boys Brigade and Cook Islands Police will accompany the hearse from the eastern entrance of the National Culture Centre to Te-Pua-O-Te-Ra and onto the auditorium, and acting prime minister Tom Marsters and deputy leader of the opposition Wilkie Rasmussen will receive the casket at the entrance of the auditorium and follow it to the front.
Sonny Williams will act as master of ceremonies of the service, which will be conducted by the Religious Advisory Council.
Marsters will give the opening address. President of the Are Ariki Travel Tou Ariki will speak, followed by Mauri Toa and a family presentation.
Curly George and Sonny Daniel will sing a song composed in Sir Apeneras honour called Tamariki oro piako.
Following the closing prayer, members of parliament will lead the casket out the door, and the acting prime minister will present it to the family.
Sir Apeneras hearse will finally depart for the Ngatangiia Cook Islands Christian Church, where a service will be held in his honour. The burial will be conducted at a family home in Nukupure, and a public reception will follow at Nukupure Park.
The government is still finalising arrangements for a funeral service in honour of the late Te Tika Mataiapo Dorice Reid.
Moving farewell to a great pioneer
Sat
18 Jun
The Cook Islands farewelled one of its most notable leaders at a moving state funeral yesterday morning.
Those who knew Sir Apenera Short turned up in droves to say aera ra to the last surviving member of the countrys first-ever Cabinet.
It was a day of great national sadness, said acting prime minister Tom Marsters in a poignant tribute speech.
But while it was a time to grieve, it was also a time to celebrate the gift from God that was the amazing life of Sir Apenera Short.
We gather here as one at this state funeral to acknowledge and farewell one of the finest sons of the Cook Islands, Marsters said.
Marsters described Sir Apenera as a fine man of remarkable national importance who spent most of his adult life serving the Cook Islands and its people.
He was no ordinary man he was a great politician and served his community with integrity, vision and dedication.
Sir Apenera was 49 when he entered the Cook Islands Legislative Assembly as a member of parliament for his district, Takitumu. The year was 1965, and it was a time of great change for our country, Marsters said.
Sir Apenera was chosen by Papa Arapati (Sir Albert Henry) to represent his people in the countrys first Cabinet a government body that would change the way Cook Islanders lived and perceived themselves, Marsters said.
That Cabinet made monumental changes to the way Cook Islanders lived, and saw the world, and themselves as decision-makers of their own destiny, Marsters said.
Sir Apenera, who was also a traditional leader and held the Takau Rangatira title, went on to enjoy a long political career.
Over the years, Sir Apenera held a number of portfolios, including police, agriculture, cooperatives, economic development, electricity, energy and broadcasting.
His eldest son Tupe says he was proudest of his work in the cooperatives, which enabled Cook Islands people to work for themselves, lease land and take out loans for homes, vehicles and farming equipment.
As a minister in government, many of Papa Apeneras dreams for our national improvement were realised. Groundbreaking initiatives became reality in successful national projects that gave Cook Islands men, women and youth paying jobs, put power and water in homes, kids in schools and meals on tables. We as a people and nation are still enjoying the fruits of the many trees that Papa Apenera planted, Marsters said yesterday.
Sir Apenera was appointed the highest office in the Cook Islands the Queens Representative in 1990. He was knighted in 1995, and served three terms as QR with honour and integrity, Marsters said.
But throughout his political career, Sir Apenera remained a humble man.
He never lost that common touch and he could speak easily with anyone and everyone, Marsters said.
Marsters laid the first wreath at Sir Apeneras funeral. His was followed by a succession of wreaths, laid by deputy leader of the opposition Wilkie Rasmussen, speaker of the house Sir Geoffrey Henry, president of the Are Ariki Travel Tou Ariki, New Zealand High Commissioner Linda Te Puni, Cook Islands Police, the Public Service Commissioners office, solicitor-general Tingika Elikana, the Ministry of Education, acting financial secretary Priscilla Maruariki, the Bahai church and government house.
Marsters asked the National Auditorium to pause, reflect and uphold Sir Apenera as an outstanding leader at the national, village, church and family levels.
But the cruel reality of our mortal lives is that in the end of it all, mans life is just a vapour, as the Bible says, to pass and be blown away. Now the packing shed buildings are gone. The plantations are overgrown. The machineries have rusted away. But although all that has gone, something of great value, as intangible as it is, has remained. That is the fine reputation and legacy of a man we had the privilege to know as Papa Apenera, Marsters said.
He concluded: He was truly an amazing man. He was a pioneer of huge energy. He was a hard worker and brought people along with him as a leader and visionary. He was a natural motivator. He had an overcoming spirit. We as a nation will remain forever grateful for the remarkable life of state service of one Sir Apenera Short, KBE.
- Rachel ReevesRachel Reeves
Sir Apenera and Lady Maui Short in a 2003 photo.
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Sir Apenera Short and Lady Maui Short with Prince Edward at the opening of Maire Nui Drive in October, 1992. Apenera3
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Sir Apenera Short with Prince Edward at the opening of Maire Nui Drive in October, 1992. Apenera4, Apenera5
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Sir Apenera Short, Lady Maui Short and Tiana Meyer at the 2003 nuku gospel parade. nuku-3
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Sir Apenera Short and Lady Maui Short at the Niue Appeal at the Staircase Restaurant.
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Short family members paying their respects to the late Sir Apenera yesterday.
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Uniformed police officers carry the casket from the National Auditorium at the state funeral.
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The National Auditorium was packed for Sir Apenera Short’s state funeral.
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Sonny Daniel (right) and Jerome Shedden singing at yesterday’s state funeral for Sir Apenera Short.
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Mata Hetland (nee Short) carries a portrait of her parents at yesterday’s funeral procession.
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E Tamariki Oro Piako
Sat
18 Jun
Below are the lyrics to E Tamariki Oro Piako, a song composed by Sonny Daniel for the 2008 Mire Atu and sung by Daniel, Jerome Shedden and Curly George at Sir Apenera Shorts funeral yesterday. E Tamariki Oro Piako is an old adage that elders would tell when they saw children with bright futures.
Taku ivi, taku kiko, taku toto
Taku metua, noou te korero, noou te korero
Maitu taku manava
Noou e taku metua
Tei karuveti it e enua nei
Ei vaa piro na to uanga
Tei to vaa te pakari
Kua vai te kite, te mataku it e Atua
Ko toou, toou ia matutu
E tama ma, maine ma
Ariu mai o taringa
Tamou ia
Tena te korero
Tena te marama
Mei te akinanga tapu i pokata
Tei toou rim ate karape
E karape no te pakari
E toki tarai no te vaka oraanga
No te tinitini tei noo i te ipukarea
Kua tarai ia ei vaka purua
Ko Iesu tei te veo
Ko Iesu tei te veo
Te kaveinga, kaveinga o te aroa
E vaevae orooro no taku ipukarea
Kua tutara kite rangi atea o rongo
E tamariki oro piako
E tamariki oro piako
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