Cremation with full-face tāmoko ‘inappropriate’

• Author: Peter de Graaf and RNZ
• Published date: 10 June 2022
• Publication title: Northern Advocate, The (Whangarei, New Zealand)

Thomas Henry Tapiki Murray, known as Tommy, was buried at remote Whangapē in North Hokianga earlier this week after whānau members took his coffin — by force, his widow Sara Murray said — from their home in Naenae, Wellington

He died suddenly on May 31, aged 54, at a boxing gym. He is believed to have had a heart condition.

Sara Murray said her husband wished to be cremated and to stay with her and vowed legal action to bring him back.

However, Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, speaking on behalf of the Murray whānau, said that was not what he had told them.

“No disrespect intended, but Tommy had told his whānau he wished to be buried in Whangapē.

His mother, siblings and two daughters returned Tommy to Rangitoto urupā near his father, grandparents and whanaunga. It felt right. Kua tau te wairua (the soul is calm),” she said.

Halkyard-Harawira said Tommy...