Ōrākei Marae are in preparation for the tangihanga of leading academic and Māori activist Dr Ranginui Walker.
Marae spokesperson Sharon Hawke describes her iwi of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei as having a very strong and personal connection with Dr Walker.
She says "Tenei mātou ngā uri o Tūperiri te tangi kau ake...Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei mourn the passing of one of their greatest allies and life long friend."
Today, Dr Walker is lying in state at his home and arrangements for the tangihanga are as follows:
Te Whakatohea will be escorting Dr Walker to Ōrākei Marae at 11am on Wednesday and a final funeral service will be held in his honour on Friday, 11am at Ōrākei Marae.
For more on this story, watch Te Kāea tonight at 5:30pm.