Poroporoaki: Renata Raiti Aperahama

“Kua timata to takahi haere i te ara wairua, e Koro
Ki Muriwhenua, ki te Rerenga Wairua.

E mahue ana matou ko nga morehu o te hunga ora ki te tangi atu ki a koe.
E Raiti, e te pakeke, te kaiarahi, kaitohutohu, whakaruruhau,
Haere ki tua o te arai! Haere ki o tipuna! Haere ki te Po! Haere ki te Po!”

The Maori Party extends its deep sympathy to the whanau of Renata Raiti Aperahama of Te Aupouri, who passed away last night. Raiti was a leading elder in Auckland, who was especially influential as an Apotoro in the Ratana Church.

Co-leader Tariana Turia says she knew Raiti when he lived in Porirua around 25 years ago.
“He always had the courage to say what he meant in a very direct way, and I admired him for that,” said Mrs Turia. “He was very committed to his mahi, and to the people. He was always reminding me of my responsibilities to the people, and to the Church.

“When I left Parliament and stood for the Maori Party in a by-election, Raiti came from Auckland to lead karakia at the Temple at Ratana. Once he decided the Maori Party was a party for the people, he gave it 100%,” she said.

“Raiti was one of five senior figures who founded the Tamaki Makaurau branch of the Party, and instructed me to stand for Parliament,” said Co-leader Dr Pita Sharples.

“He attended the very first meeting, and most of our meetings ever since. Even after he lost a leg to diabetes and was confined to a wheelchair, he did not stop, right up until last week, when we celebrated the election together at Maori Party headquarters,” said Dr Sharples.

“His dedication helped the party to move from strength to strength. He was an inspiration, and a wise guide along the rocky road of politics,” he said.

Mrs Turia said it was sad to see Raiti become unwell with diabetes, but he had a tremendous faith that kept him going when others may have surrendered.

“He was the kind of person who lives on in people’s hearts. He won’t be forgotten,” she said.

“His death comes at a turning point for us all,” said Dr Sharples. “It was said at his tangi this morning, that as the Party prepares to sign off on our agreement, Raiti has signed off down here, and begun his final journey to his home marae in Te Hiku o te Ika, and on to Te Rerenga Wairua.

“No reira e Koro, kia tau nga manaakitanga o te Wahi Ngaro ki runga i a koe, e takahi atu nei koe i te ara whanui a Tane, karere kore ki muri