Around 100 people met at a Gisborne marae last weekend for gay kaumatua Henare Te Ua's tangi. NZ AIDS Foundation chairperson Jeremy Lambert attended the tangi on Saturday at Te Ua's Marae in Waihirere - his final resting place, located just outside of Gisborne. "It was a mixture of people, reflecting the complexity of Henare's contribution to various aspects of our lives, as New Zealanders, Maori, and Takataapui," says Lambert. "It was an all-inclusive gathering, which was really nice." Labour MP Tim Barnett was present, and speakers at the tangi included Pou Temara – professor of Maori studies at Waikato University, and broadcaster Tainui Stevens. NZAF staff member Eriata Peri and Board member Gordon Chappell were also present and former Board member Richard Tankersley was kai korero, speaking on behalf of the NZAF and the government – "he could speak the language and also had the status on the Marae to stand and speak," Lambert explains. "Henare was such an important person to the Foundation that it was important for us to be there in the place he was from, to give our condolences in person to his family, and also to support his partner Dudley, who was also there. "It was also important for me as chairman of the board, and as a Maori, to be present in a Maori setting." Ref: GayNZ.com (m)