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Regional | Entertainment

Thousands bid final farewell to a great Māori composer, Tama Huata

Another star of the East Coast was farewelled today.  Tama Huata died on Wednesday surrounded by his family and was farewelled at Mihiroa Marae in Pakipaki.

His vision to push the envelope for Māori performing arts was considered revolutionary for its time with his contemporary kapa haka choreography, moves that had never been seen or done before.

Modern day technology has seen the funeral proceedings live-streamed, allowing loved ones who could not make it to be included.

Thousands attended to say their final farewells to an amazing Māori composer, a man who was passionate about taking Māori culture and music to the world.

Tama Huata will be laid to rest on the hilltop cemetery, Whenuakura in Pakipaki.  His legacy not only lives on through his wife and three children, but through the many youth he has influenced in his lifetime.