Otiria Marae in Moerewa is prepared to host an influx of people from across the country who wish to pay their respects and bid a final farewell to Erima Henare.
The passionate pillar of te reo Māori me ōna tikanga passed away in Wellington on Wednesday night.
That same night he had attended the maiden speech of his niece Ria Bond of New Zealand First at Parliament.
Accolades continue to flow for Mr Henare the renowned Ngāti Hine descendant and son of Sir James and Lady Rose Henare.
Last night those wishing to pay their respects in Auckland got the opportunity to do so briefly at Te Puea Marae, before he was finally taken home to Otiria Marae with a brief stopover at his home in Kauri, Whangarei.
The Otiria Marae Facebook page posted a message of the preparations underway and that the entire community was working together to ensure they were prepared for his arrival.
Erima Henare worked tirelessly in the many roles he held throughout his lifetime to ensure the promotion, nurturing and fostering of te reo Māori among his iwi and the wider population.
Among the many roles he has held in his lifetime he served as the Chair of Te Taura Whiri i te reo Māori, he was the former Chief Executive for Ngāti Hine Health Trust, an executive director of Maori at Open Polytechnic of New Zealand, and a member of the Waitangi National Trust Board, he also served as an advisor to Kingi Tuheitia.
Mr Henare was a beloved father and grandfather, one of his sons, Peeni is currently the serving Labour Tāmaki Makaurau MP in Parliament.
Te Kāea reporter Heeni Brown compiled a small tribute to a great man and Te Kāea will bring you more details tonight on at 5:30.