Haere ra e te rangatira Malcolm, haere. (We bid farewell oh mighty Chief farewell.) Kua maunu hoki koe ki runga i te waka o tena tangata kaha ko Aitua. (You have risen-up onto the waka of that powerful one called death) Kua whakawhiti atu ia ki ena moana tuauriuri ki te Po. (You have crossed those darkened waters to Te Po) Ki te Po nui, ki Po roa, ki te Po e u ai te moe. (To the great night the long night, the night where sleep is restful) Nā reira e te rangatira haere, haere, haere (Therefore, oh mighty chief farewell, farewell farewell) Moe mai ra i to moenga roa. (Sleep well, your long sleep)

More than 50 years ago, we walked together in the drizzeling rain to a local Pah site on the East Cape accompanied by my eldest son (In a backpack) and some of the children of some wonderful people we had met camping. He was then and was to remain for many years, my best mate. He was then and always will be one of the best, one of life's real characters I let that friendship lapse when my life changed, one of the biggest regrets of my life!!!!! We became friends again when I needed a shoulder to lean on. I am truly sorry that you have left us Mitch. RIP old friend, RIP hoa tawhito