State funeral for Sir Apenera

One of the countrys most prominent leaders has died, leaving 14 children, dozens of grandchildren and a huge legacy behind.

Sir Apenera Pera Short died at 96 in his Muri home yesterday morning.

He was the one of the countrys first cabinet ministers and its longest-serving Queens Representative.

Sir Apenera was born in Takuvaine in 1915 to Tupe Short of Takitumu and Rangi Marama of Ngati Karika, but raised in Ngatangiia by his adopted parents Tuaeu and Matanoanoa. Of the Takitumu chiefly line, he always felt his allegiances lay with Takitumu.

His father held the Takau title, and Sir Apenera was later invested as Takau Rangatira, the rangatira for Pa Tepaeru who was the mother of current titleholder Pa Marie Ariki.

He excelled at primary school and won the Pomare Medal for excellence in scholarship, which was awarded to one student from each primary school.

Sir Apenera started his career as a teacher at Ngatangiia School and worked as a teacher at Tereora College, and later went on to become the first Cook Islander to earn degrees in audit and economics from Oxford University.

When he returned from the UK, Sir Apenera became registrar of the first Cook Islands co-operative, which enabled local people to work for themselves, lease land and take out loans for homes, vehicles and farming equipment.

Sir Apeneras son Tupe says that in those days, the National Bank did not lend money to local people, and his fathers co-operative enabled the people of the Cook Islands to stand on their own two feet.

Sir Apenera also served as treasurer on the national council of the Cook Islands Christian Church.

He was born a traditional leader, but had the intellect and influence to push to the political forefront.

Sir Apenera was 49 when he entered the Cook Islands Legislative Assembly as a minister, thus becoming one of the countrys first political leaders.

He was one of Albert Henrys right hand men, says his eldest son Tupe. As minister he actively supported agriculture, and was instrumental in the establishment of commercial banana plantations on Aitutaki and pineapple plantations on Atiu, Mauke and Mangaia.

Sir Apeneras government was also responsible for including the House of Ariki in the Cook Islands Constitution.

He was knighted in the 1990s and served three terms as the Queens Representative (1990-2001).

Hes a great man for this nation and the last one of those who started self-government, son Tupe said yesterday.

Deputy prime minister Tom Marsters who is acting prime minister in Henry Punas absence yesterday announced that the government will hold a state funeral for Short at the National Auditorium on Friday. The funeral is to begin at 10am.