Arohanui Sir Paul

State funerals are a rare event, reserved for New Zealanders who have led lives of considerable significance. There is no argument that Sir Paul Reeves meets that criteria, and his final public tribute will be a fitting farewell.

Since Monday, a tangi has been taking place at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre's Tatai Hono Marae. This morning, Sir Paul's casket will be carried by the military through the Auckland Domain to Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell, where Sir Paul served as Bishop of Auckland, and where he continued to worship in his retirement.

The fusion of Maori and Pakeha funeral rituals will make this state funeral unique. Sir Paul has requested that the funeral service be conducted from the Anglican prayerbook, and we have no doubt that some of the liturgy will be taken from the Anglican Church's Maori prayerbook. Maori Television will be telecasting the service live from 10am, and we'll probably tune in while we work at home.

Sir Paul Reeves did much to reconcile Maori and Pakeha, and there are a number of people who we could name but won't who would be wise to reflect on Sir Paul's life and works, and the mana in which he is held. His final tribute today will attest to that mana.

Arohanui Sir Paul; your work on earth is done, and eternity beckons.