Large crowd launch Parekura Horomia book at the Beehive

Over 200 people attended a stirring parliamentary launch for the biography 'Parekura Horomia - Kia Ora Chief' by Wira Gardiner.

Flanked by Minister Hekia Parata, MP Nanaia Mahuta, Acting Chair Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Porou Selwyn Parata, Te Puni Kokiri ex-CEO Leith Comer and Parekura's three sons Desmond, Wallace and Turei, author Sir Wira Gardiner gave a rousing account of his journey collecting the stories of over 70 people from around New Zealand and overseas that paint a genuine picture of the late Parekura Horomia.

‘When I saw the thousands of people who arrived at his tangi to pay their respects, that is when I realised the tremendous impact that he had had, and that is when I promised his sons that I would write the book’, said Wira.

With many stories, waiata and laughter, the speakers regaled a receptive audience about the positive, if somewhat unorthodox, impact that Parekura had on the Department of Labour and on Te Puni Kokiri in his time as Minister of Māori Affairs.

With forewords by former prime minister Helen Clark and Hekia Parata, ‘Parekura Horomia – Kia Ora Chief’, pubished by Huia is now available at all good bookstores.

Sir Wira Gardiner has had careers in the army, public service and as a writer. A Lieutenant Colonel in the army, he took up leadership and establishment roles in the public service, being the founding director of the Waitangi Tribunal, the first general manager of the Iwi Transition Agency and the founding chief executive of Te Puni Kōkiri. He was knighted for his services to Māori in 2008.

Above - Pictured Sir Wira Gardiner (second from left) with L-R Wallace, Turei and Desmond Horomia.