State funeral

A state funeral will be held for the late Sir Terepai Maoate tomorrow at the National Auditorium.

The former prime minister, who was knighted by the Queen in 2007 for his long services to Cook Islands politics, died in Rarotonga on Monday after a long battle with prostate cancer.

Sir Terepai’s casket will depart for the public service at the National Auditorium at 9.30am, following a private family service at his family’s residence.

The pall bearers from the Ngatipa store to the Aotearoa Centre will be Ngati Vakatini, from the Aotearoa Centre to Te Pua O Te Ra the pall bearers will be health ministry staff, and members of the police will take it the rest of the way.

At the entrance of the auditorium, the casket will be received by Prime Minister Henry Puna and the leader of the opposition Wilkie Rasmussen.

Sir Terepai was a doctor by trade and was elected a Democratic Party member of parliament for Ngatangiia in 1983. He was prime minister from 1999 until 2002.

Family, friends and other members of the congregation will be invited to lay flowers and wreaths around the casket, before a prayer service is conducted by the Religious Advisory Council.

Tributes will be given by PM Puna, Rasmussen and Democratic Party MP Ngamau Munokoa.

There will also be addresses by Dr Joseph Williams and Sir Terepai’s son Dr Teariki Maoate.

The casket will then travel by hearse to Ngatangiia Cook Islands Christian Church.

Flags will be flown at half-mast for the day, to commemorate the life of Sir Terepai, who was born on September 1, 1934, and died on July 8, 2012.

The full programme is on page 8 today.