Children grieve for their principal

Greg Taipari | 26th November 2009

Children from Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Rotoiti cried and embraced as Hawea Vercoe was farewelled from the school he loved.

More than 1000 people attended a special service for Mr Vercoe at the kura on the shores of Lake Rotoiti yesterday.

The community of Rotoiti mourned the man who was described by many as controversial, but to Rotoiti, he was a defender of education and Maoridom.

Mr Vercoe was killed after leaving a bar in Whakatane at the weekend. He was 36. A 21-year-old Opotiki man has been charged with his murder.

As Mr Vercoe's casket was taken on to the kura, students and staff did a rousing powhiri (welcoming ceremony). Children battled through tears as they performed for their much loved "Matua Hawea". After their performance, the children embraced to console one another.

A staff member, who did not want to be named, said the past few days had been traumatic for the kura. "Our tamariki were inconsolable, when [Mr Vercoe] was carried on to our kura. To see him like that has made it really sink home for them. But Hawea would have been proud of his tamariki - the way they continued despite being upset."

Tuhourangi kaumatua Anaru Rangiheuea said: "It is a sad day for everybody, especially the family.

Mr Vercoe's father told those at the service he had tried to dissuade his son from taking the job.

"I told him he was taking the tiger by the tail, but he said he loved to take the tiger by the tail ... He loved working here and he loved the children."

Schools from around the Rotorua district converged on Rotoiti to pay their respects. Sunset Primary School principal Neils Rasmussen said: "He [Mr Vercoe] has not just impacted on the Rotoiti community. He made a big impression on our school when he worked there.

"He was a great support for me in those early times when I turned up."

Labour list MP Steve Chadwick said she had close ties with Mr Vercoe's family.

"Friends will have to be there for Rosalind and Waaka and Hawea's children and we will be one of those friends that are there. His legacy ... will be huge."

After the service, his casket was taken to Tuteao Marae in Te Teko. The funeral will be held tomorrow at 11am and Mr Vercoe will be buried next to his brother at Puketapu Urupa.