Takutai Tarsh Kemp has been laid rest on the grounds behind Opaea Marae. Photo: Pokere Paewai / RNZ
This story was updated to clarify that the nēhu was on Tuesday
Hundreds of people are at the nēhu, or burial service, for Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp.
Kemp, 50, died last Thursday, prompting an outpouring of grief from fellow MPs and the public who lamented the loss of a staunch adovacate for rangatahi and South Auckland.
The Tāmaki Makaurau MP was taken to lie at Hoani Waititi Marae in West Auckland until Saturday morning, before travelling to Opaea Marae just north of Taihape.
Takutai Tarsh Kemp has been laid rest on the grounds behind Opaea Marae. Photo: Pokere Paewai / RNZ
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi told the service at Opaea Marae Kemp was a "peaceful, soft, but strong leader for her people".
Opaea Marae trustee Cyril Mako said preparing to host the masses in such a short time was tough but many whānau pitched in to prepare today's nēhu (burial).
Opaea Marae spokesperson Cyril Mako. Photo: RNZ / Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira
Mako told RNZ he was expecting between 800 and 1200 people to attend - a tall order for a small marae like Opaea.
"If you'd been here five years ago we weren't actually functioning," he said.
"It's an old marae, our toilet block had been pulled down and we were basically closed for a period of time."
Mako said they had to rely on the help of nearby marae - their whānau - to help with kai preparation and housing people who travelled for the burial service.
Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp was laid to rest on Tuesday. Photo: Pokere Paewai / RNZ
"They jumped at it, and we really appreciate it because we couldn't have done it ourselves."
Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins and other party members were welcomed onto the marae just after 9am.
Speaking at a post-cabinet media conference, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he would not be attending the tangi, but the National Party would be well represented.
Luxon also ruled out announcing a date for the Tāmaki Makarau by-election, triggered by Kemp's death, saying he wanted the week to be focussed on her.
Kemp's MP car at the marae. Photo: Pokere Paewai / RNZ
Speaking to media, Hipkins said he would not criticise the prime minister for not attending but the death of a sitting member of Parliament was rare.
The nēhu, or burial service, began at 11am and the day is being streamed live online.
The burial was at Opaea Marae. Photo: Pokere Paewai / RNZ
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