The funeral of Sir Paul Reeves, former New Zealand governor-general, drew hundreds of mourners this afternoon to bid farewell to a man who was described as a “a mighty totara”.
Sir Paul Reeves, who died last Sunday at the age of 78, was farewelled at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Parnell, Auckland.
The service was attended by Prime Minister John Key, former Prime Minister Helen Clarke and many other dignitaries, according to Television New Zealand.
Described as a courageous and modest man, he was a strong advocate for racial and class justice.
“Throughout his life he identified with the cause of social and economic justice. He came from a modest family background and never allowed himself to forget that,” said the Progressives in a statement in parliament yesterday.
“He was not afraid to push the limits of his constitutional position and its conventions and to make himself felt in political areas where his predecessors would have been reluctant to tread.”
Not only was he the first Governor-General of Maori descent, but he was also the first person to be appointed to the job outside the customary diplomatic establishment and legal world.
Sir Paul was appointed Archbishop and Primate of New Zealand in 1980 after many years of dedication to the Anglican Church both in New Zealand and overseas.
After his tenure as governor-general, Sir Paul worked as an Anglican Observer at the United Nations, oversaw elections in Ghana and South Africa, assisted with the drawing up of constitutions for Fiji and Guyana and chaired the Nelson Mandela Trust.
He was Governor General from 22 November 1985 to 20 November 1990.
Sir Paul Reeves, who died last Sunday at the age of 78, was farewelled at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Parnell, Auckland.
The service was attended by Prime Minister John Key, former Prime Minister Helen Clarke and many other dignitaries, according to Television New Zealand.
Described as a courageous and modest man, he was a strong advocate for racial and class justice.
“Throughout his life he identified with the cause of social and economic justice. He came from a modest family background and never allowed himself to forget that,” said the Progressives in a statement in parliament yesterday.
“He was not afraid to push the limits of his constitutional position and its conventions and to make himself felt in political areas where his predecessors would have been reluctant to tread.”
Not only was he the first Governor-General of Maori descent, but he was also the first person to be appointed to the job outside the customary diplomatic establishment and legal world.
Sir Paul was appointed Archbishop and Primate of New Zealand in 1980 after many years of dedication to the Anglican Church both in New Zealand and overseas.
After his tenure as governor-general, Sir Paul worked as an Anglican Observer at the United Nations, oversaw elections in Ghana and South Africa, assisted with the drawing up of constitutions for Fiji and Guyana and chaired the Nelson Mandela Trust.
He was Governor General from 22 November 1985 to 20 November 1990.
Friends Read Free