Greetings everyone

For those of you that do not know,  I regret to advise that David suffered a heart attack and died on January the 8^th in the USA.

I have created this web page so that you may check at anytime on updates I may have.

In lieu of flowers the family have requested - that a donation towards the cost of bringing David home will be truly appreciated.

Note: I will always post new information at this point and always in local NZ time

17th January 10-10am   David is well on his way home and plans are as arranged for ceremonies. The time for the Powhiri on the Marae will be decided on Saturday when the family meet with the Elders of the Marae.  I shall post the the time the moment I know

This is a link to a map of the addresses of the citadel and Marae thanks to Phil  Map of Marae and Citadel

16th January 8-00 am  David confirmed to be home Friday,   plans below apply. We now have the name and address of the Marae - Waikari Marae, Waikari Road which is off Matapihi Rd Mt Maunganui. The time still to be advised

15th January 5-50 pm   David will be home on Friday - he will be taken to his mothers home to be with his family on Friday  and Saturday night. Guests are welcome to visit David during his time at home at -

19 Mackville Rd Mt Maunganui

He will be taken onto the Marae on Sunday. The Marae and time of  Powhiri will be advised within the next few hours.

15th January  10-15 am    It would seem likely that David will arrive home on Friday,  not Thursday. We are still hoping to stay with the Thursday arrangements. Please do not act on this as I am at this moment I am waiting for confirmation of the delay

 14th January 8-30 pm  Still no confirmation of the flight David will be on

14th January 11-30 am

I  received the following email this morning and I want to add my incredible thanks to all concerned you are wonderful and maybe feel like me that this is the last big thing I can do for David. Please be sure they are the IT people not me.   Dafanie

A big thank you and congratulations to Judy, Eddie, Dafanie and Phil for making all this happen so fast. 

It seems incredible that it was only about 48 hours ago that Dafanie’s first email from the family arrived mentioning the cost of repatriating David.  In that time, Judy’s plan was conceived and actioned, Phil came forward offering a bank account and has done what was needed to make the project work, Dafanie liaised across a 13 hour time difference, Eddie dropped his plans and did the technical building needed and Judy has written and consulted on the announcement, held it all together and sent it out. 

What a triumph!  There is definitely something about the exceptionalness of the people that David attracted!

Warm wishes

Wendy

At present his mother, sister and lifetime friend are in the USA to bring his body home.

Funeral arrangements follow

The ceremonies will begin on Marae with Powhiri at 11-00 Friday morning. Please note this time is to be confirmed and the moment I have the firm detail I will post here

Note an explanation of  Maori protocol follows this information 

David will lie in state on the Marae – people are invited to stay on the Marae the night if they wish, until the next morning,  when he will be taken to the Salvation Army The Salvation Citadel for a funeral service at 1-00 on Saturday.

 The Citadel is  on the corner of Cameron Rd and Fifth Ave,  Tauranga the actual address is - 51 Fifth Ave Tauranga.

There are two Marae in the area and it is possible that the formalities may be on the other one - I will post the correct details when I receive them. 

Messages can be sent to his family at bettydraper@clear.net.nz

Correspondence to

Mrs Betty Draper and family at

 19 Mackville Rd

Mt Maunganui

 New Zealand

E Rangatira, E hoa, Rawiri

Haere atu ra, Haere atu ra, Haere atu ra

Haere ki te wa kainga tuturu.

Haere, Haere , Haere.

Oh Chief, Friend. David

Go, go to the true place with your ancestors.

David Grove, New Zealander is part Maori of Tainui and Mataatua descent. Iwi

Affiliations to Ngati Maniapoto and Ngaiterangi

The term tangi or tangihanga describes a Māori approach to the process of grieving for someone who has died. Practices and protocols can differ from tribe to tribe. However, it is a common process that enables people to express their sense of loss, not only for their loved one, but for those who have passed before them.

Traditionally, tangihanga were held at marae. Nowadays, tangihanga are also held at private residences and funeral parlours. Tangihanga usually take place over a number of days, beginning when the person passes away and continuing after the burial, until the rituals and ceremonies of grieving are complete.

Before the burial, it is common for the coffin to be left open so mourners can touch, kiss, hug and cry over the tūpāpaku (corpse) to express their grief.

A common belief is that the tūpāpaku should never be left alone after death, so close family members (the whānau pani) stay with the tūpāpaku throughout the tangihanga, supported by older female relatives. The families wishes are paramount thru this process. In the case of David the family is keen to have Davids body returned to his Turangawaewae (Place to stand) in Aotearoa. The land of his birth and the marae of his descendents. His body is considered Tapu(sacred) and whanau(family) will be keen to ensure that the dignity and mana of David and the processes of Tangi be preserved.

People often travel long distances to attend tangihanga to show their respect for the person who has died and to offer support to the family. It is also common practice to offer a koha, (gift) usually money, to the marae or family.

If the tangihanga is at a marae, those who attend are welcomed with pōwhiri during which speeches are made as if talking directly to the tūpāpaku. This fits with the common belief that the spirit remains with the body until the time of the burial.

If the tūpāpaku has links to a number of tribes or sub tribes, debate may arise between relatives over where the tūpāpaku is to be buried. While talks can be heated and stressful, such debate is a sign of love and respect for the tūpāpaku. Those travelling from overseas will be guided thru protocols on arrival particularly at the marae. Dress on the marae women in black or dark clothing. Skirts/ dresses preferable not slacks. Men suit or tidy dress, long trousers not shorts.

Note: it is important if your intention is to attend the Marae, that you are punctual as you may not go onto the Marae except in formal proceedings.

An Important notice:  

Re David Grove’s possessions

 The family have discussed the ramifications of trying to have David’s various  possessions sent to them in New Zealand, but it has been decided this would be an impractical request.

Therefore they wish to send this message to people who have been left with David’s belongings
 

“Please consider this situation and decide how you will use David’s ‘treasures’, if you then make the decision to dispose of them,  the family request,  that money received be banked into a bank account that will be set up and posted on this web page 

To those who would like to join  in a celebration of David’s life in a practical way, the family requests, that rather than flowers, a contribution towards the considerable cost of bringing David home to New Zealand, be deposited in this account.

The family would be very grateful for this support.

If the money received amounts to more than these costs,  the extra money will be used to create a memorial for David to celebrate his life.

 Suggestions  of  how this memorial could be created, and what form it would take,  would be welcomed by the family.

 David’s family would like everyone who’s life has been enriched by David to be involved in this decision.

Thank you