Sir Apenera Short farewelled today

A state funeral for the late Sir Apenera Short, who passed away on Wednesday morning, will start at 10am today. Everyone should arrive by 9.45am.

A family service will precede the state funeral.

Police will escort Sir Apeneras hearse from Rarotonga Hospital ahead of the service, and Ngati Vakatini will receive the casket at Ngatipa shop in Tupapa.

From the main road to the Aotearoa Centre, Ngati Vakatini will accompany the hearse, and from there to the National Culture Centre the Atiu community will take over as pall bearers.

The Boys Brigade and Cook Islands Police will accompany the hearse from the eastern entrance of the National Culture Centre to Te-Pua-O-Te-Ra and onto the auditorium, and acting prime minister Tom Marsters and deputy leader of the opposition Wilkie Rasmussen will receive the casket at the entrance of the auditorium and follow it to the front.

Sonny Williams will act as master of ceremonies of the service, which will be conducted by the Religious Advisory Council.

Marsters will give the opening address. President of the Are Ariki Travel Tou Ariki will speak, followed by Mauri Toa and a family presentation.

Curly George and Sonny Daniel will sing a song composed in Sir Apeneras honour called Tamariki oro piako.

Following the closing prayer, members of parliament will lead the casket out the door, and the acting prime minister will present it to the family.

Sir Apeneras hearse will finally depart for the Ngatangiia Cook Islands Christian Church, where a service will be held in his honour. The burial will be conducted at a family home in Nukupure, and a public reception will follow at Nukupure Park.

The government is still finalising arrangements for a funeral service in honour of the late Te Tika Mataiapo Dorice Reid.