The sacred rivers bid you farewell

Kua hinga te Totara Nui i te wharenui o te Kooti Taiao Ko kore te whakaruruhau mo nga manu o te ngahere Na reira e te autaia rangatira e Ko¯tene, haere Ko kore koe e rongo i nga mamae, i nga hemanawatanga o tenei ao matemate Ko nga awa tapu, ko nga wai o Aotearoa, e powhiri atu ng ki a kohe, haere Ko nga maunga tapu o Aotearoa i arohanuitia ra e koe e powhiri atu ng ki a koe, ha Haere ra kit e Hono i Wairua, ki te huihui o nga rangatira Haere, hoki atu kit e iwi, hoki atu kit e kainga, ki te okiokinga tuturu mo tatou Haere, haere, haere Moe mai ra i runga i te rangimarie e te hoa aroha. A mighty Totara of the Environment Court has fallen The sheltering comfort for the birds of the forest are no more Therefore o outstanding chief Gordon, farewell. You no longer feel the pains and suffering of this world of tribulation. The sacred rivers and waters of Aotearoa bid you farewell. The sacred mountains of Aotearoa which you loved so dearly, bid you farewell. Farewell to Te Hono i Wairua, to the assembly of chiefs. Farewell, to our people, farewell to our home, to the true resting place for us all. Farewell, farewell, farewell. Rest in peace our much-loved friend. * Poroporoaki (farewell tribute) to Gordon Whiting at his funeral