He poroporoaki ki a Riki Cherrington
We farewelled a man who contributed hugely to the Māori community, in Murihiku. Dick Cherrington aka Koro Riki, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer.
Riki arrived here from Te Tai Tokerau in the 50-60s, to work at Ocean Beach. He married a Bluff girl and produced four beautiful children. Later he worked on the Bluff waterfront and eventually at the Southland Institute of Technology.
Over the years, Koro Riki was involved in supporting the development of marae, the resurgence of te reo and most importantly supporting whānau, hapū and iwi. He has been a constant, supporting and teaching our Ngāi Tahu men to whaikōrero and karakia in order to uphold the mana of our marae.
He, along with others from Matawaka, would often sit on our paepae at tangihanga, as well as fulfilling the role of kaikarakia and celebrant – many a funeral and unveiling he officiated during his time.
His valued wisdom and input was sought on many occasions regarding kawa and tikanga associated with the opening of buildings, removing tapu and the blessing of homes, boats and taonga.
Koro Riki was young at heart and had the ability to relate to all sectors of the community. He took younger people under his wing and trained them up for the future, so that our language, culture and tikanga weren’t lost.
He espoused those values that make us Māori – manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, wairua, tika, pono and aroha. He represented iwi/Māori on a variety of boards and his views through the Māori lens were helpful in building stronger relationships with our treaty partners.
Even during his illness, Koro Riki continued to give of himself to others. He continued to sit on the paepae at Ngā Hau e Whā Marae and Te Tōmairangi and he supported the Māori programmes and students at SIT in his role as the SIT kaumātua. His unwavering support for Te Rau Aroha Marae and Awarua Whānau Services, not to mention Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku will never be forgotten.
He tangata humārie, he tangata katakata, he tangata rongonui.
E Koro. Ka mihi tonu a Awarua ki a koe mō ake tonu atu. He tangata awhi, he tangata aroha, he tangata tautoko i a mātau o Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha hoki. E kore e warewaretia tāu mahi i waenganui i a mātau.
Nā reira e hoki tōu tinana ki te kōpū o te whenua, ki te Hau Mutunga.
Hoki wairua ki Motu Pohue. Titiro iho ki ōu iwi e tangi atu nei i te aroha.
Haere tonu ki te whenua o tōu tupuna, ki a Ngāti Hine.
Ka whiti mai te rā ki runga i te maunga Puketutu.
He rangai maomao ka taka ki tua o Nukutaurua e kore ā muri e hokia. Haere, haere, okioki ai.