The following message comes from the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, and Mrs Margaret Sentamu. They came to know Tiki well during visits to New Zealand in 2010, 2011 and 2014.

We were deeply sad to hear that Archdeacon Tikituterangi Raumati has gone to be with the Lord. We have such happy and fond memories of the time we spent with him on our visits to Taranaki.

We may be thousands of miles away in the UK but we join with our brothers and sisters in Christ in shared sadness – and joy, at Tiki’s moving on to glory. We also join you in celebration of a wonderful, fruitful and holy life.

We give thanks to God for what Tiki has been to us all – a trailblazer and beacon of the rainbow people of God, who had a special gift for bringing us together and for reconciling communities.  He truly loved God with all his soul, with all his mind, and with all his strength, and he loved his neighbour as himself.

We had the privilege of witnessing Archbishop Philip Richardson install Tiki as the first Cathedral Kaumatua in St Mary's.

In that ground-breaking act alone, we saw that Tiki had become a healer, a symbol of reconciliation between the cathedral, and the Maori people in Taranaki.

And we know that there were so many, many acts like this. 

Kua haere ia ki te kāinga tūturu mō tatou, i raro hoki i te manaakitanga o te Atua. 

He is now with his ancestors, embraced in the loving care of God. 

Every blessing.

+Sentamu & Margaret Sentamu
Archbishop of York
England.

He hōnore, he korōria
Maungārongo ki te whenua
Whakaaro pai e
Ki ngā tangata katoa
Ake ake, ake ake
Āmine.
Te Atua, te piringa,
Toku oranga. 1

"And don't muck it up!" 

Andrew Judd campaigns nationally for Maori rights and representation on local government. He met Archdeacon Tiki soon after he'd been elected Mayor of New Plymouth in 2013.

I was invited to a hui to meet local Maori, and I guess I was scared. Uncle Tiki was speaking with such vigour and directness, and it was all in te reo. I didn't understand a word of what he said, and I was just sitting there politely.

And at the end of his speech he turned to me, waved his stick at me and implored in a loud voice:

"And don't muck it up!"

I'm thinking: 'What have I done? What have I done?'

Actually, I knew what he meant. So whenever I was at Owae Marae I would get anxious when he stood to speak: I'm thinking: 'Have I been honest? Have I done the right things? Am I being good?'

But the more I got to know and understand Uncle Tiki – the more I came to see it was all from his heart, and to admire his tenacity to speak the truth. And to say it as he saw it – I just really admired that and was inspired by it.

What a leader, and what a loss: Not only for Maoridom, but for all of us.

He was a significant presence here

The Rev Ngira Simmonds is Vicar of Hemi Tapu in Hamilton, Waikato Missioner for Te Pihopatanga – and Anglican Chaplain to the Kingitanga.

Archdeacon Tiki was well known and respected in the Kingitanga.

He had served as Priest in Charge of the Waikato Maori pastorate, and Archdeacon of Te Tai Hauauru during the time of Te Atairangikahu. He would regularly attend the poukai and koroneihana during her reign.

And he would return frequently in the times of King Tuheitia.

So he was a significant presence in the Kingitanga, he mata pai-mohitia, a well-known face – and the Kingitanga will honour his contribution at his funeral."

"A burning ball of energy"

Beverley, Sarah, Bridget and Jane - the whānau of the late Archbishop Sir Paul Reeves

"Tiki Raumati was an important part of our family life for more than 50 years.

"A whanaunga of ours, Tiki was also a treasured friend of our father Paul. Tiki’s friendship with Dad blossomed when Dad became vicar of Okato in the early 1960’s. They forged a friendship that was strong and mutually supportive, and based on respect.

"We had great family holidays with Tiki, Wilma, Roimata, Haami, Inia and Whiti. Tiki was a burning ball of energy, an enthusiastic and positive man who cheered us on, greeted us with love and made us feel special.

"We honour Tiki the priest, the father and friend, the kaumatua and speaker of beautiful reo. We’ll miss him and he’ll forever bring a smile when we think of him. Moe mai ra e Tiki."

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1 This song is derived from a Ringatu prayer based on Luke 2:14
Honour, glory and
peace to the land
May good thoughts come
to all men
for ever and ever, for ever and ever.
Amen.
The Lord is the refuge
and my life.