1:23PM Thursday Sep 24, 2009
By Yvonne Tahana, Herald Staff and NZPA
Sir Howard Morrison was born into a family renowned for his entertainment skills.
Actor Temuera Morrison has praised his uncle Sir Howard Morrison as a giant of the entertainment world.
Sir Howard died suddenly in Rotorua this morning, aged 74.
Temuera Morrison was today at Sir Howard's home at Ohinemutu on the shores of Lake Rotorua comforting his family.
"He was a big totara tree in the world of entertainment," Temuera Morrison told NZPA.
"Despite all his successes he was very close to his family. I am just feeling for them. I am here for Aunty Kuia (Sir Howard's widow), Donna, Richard and Howard junior."
Sir Howard's health had been "up and down" for quite some time, he said.
"But more recently he had been more up, so it's still a great shock for us all."
Family spokesman Monty Morrison will be releasing a statement at Tamatekapua Marae, Ohinemutu, this afternoon which will cover arrangements for Sir Howard's tangi and funeral.
Sir Howard lived virtually next door to that marae, the premier marae of Te Arawa, and his knighthood was conferred on him there by Governor-General Sir Paul Reeves in 1990.
Sir Howard's family confirmed the singer's death to the Herald this morning, saying he had become ill while visiting Rarotonga last week.
His condition had not improved since his return a few days ago.
The Herald understands that Sir Howard's son and daughter had taken a group to the Cook Islands on an educational tour.
Click here for great Sir Howard Morrison video moments
Prime Minister John Key was among those today paying tribute to Sir Howard.
"Sir Howard was a New Zealand success story. From humble beginnings he became an international success, first with the Howard Morrison Quartet, and then in an illustrious solo career," Mr Key said.
"But more than that, Sir Howard was one of New Zealand's best loved entertainers, his appeal spanning every age group.
Showbiz family
Of mixed Te Arawa and Irish ancestry, Sir Howard was born in 1935 into a Rotorua family renowned for its entertainment skills.
His mother was Kahu Morrison (nee Gertrude Harete Davidson), who cut her own record and was a cornerstone of Maori culture and entertainment both nationally and internationally.
His son Howard Junior and daughter Donna are entertainers in their own right. Acclaimed actor Temuera Morrison is a nephew, while rising singing star Elizabeth Marvelly is a niece.
Sir Howard grew up in Rotorua and in Ruatahuna - near Waikaremoana - where his father Temuera Morrison, a Maori All Black, was working for the Maori Affairs Department.
strewth: honestly, expletive showing frustration. Expanded upon by J Witherow as follows: "Strewth is an expletive and also slang for honestly. But it's my understanding that it's derived from the old phrase 'God's Truth'. Which, when run together, is ... s'truth!"
Thursday, 24 September 2009
Sir Howard's funeral on Tuesday, public tangi tomorrow
Sir Howard Morrison is to be laid to rest at Rotorua's Kauae Cemetery on Tuesday, following a funeral service scheduled for 11am that morning.
He will be buried alongside members of his whanau.
In line with his family's wishes he will lie at his Ohinemutu home on the shores of Lake Rotorua tonight before being carried the few metres to Tamatekapua, the premier meeting house of Te Arawa, where his public tangi will be held tomorrow from about 10am.
Tuesday was chosen for his farewell to allow his numerous relatives and friends from overseas the opportunity to say goodbye.
Family spokesman Temuera Morrison said his uncle's farewell would be a "huge celebration of a great life".
"Uncle would like it like that. He had the great ability to see celebration in everything. This is the way he wanted to go."
He said it had already become obvious that Sir Howard was a very popular man.
"So many accolades are already flowing in - the phone is ringing red hot."
His uncle had died peacefully in bed at his own home.
"He's got a little smile on his face."
Morrison said a number of Ohinemutu residents had noted that a "funny kind of surreal mist" had been hanging over the village at the time of Sir Howard's passing.
"Maybe he hopped on that, crossed the waters (of Lake Rotorua) and visited Mokoia Island as he started his great journey onward."
As well as having a beautiful voice Sir Howard always had an element of cheek about him, Morrison said.
He liked to `sus' people out to see where they were coming from.
He was very charismatic, performing everywhere. He had a remarkable following and the special gift of feeling an audience as he worked his way to his crescendo.
After his own father's death, members of his immediate family had been guided by their uncle Howard, Morrison said.
"He held a kind of awe for us, there was this mystique about him, but to us he was a father figure guiding us to stand on our own feet and hold our own."
He had fond memories of his uncle returning from a trip to the East with toy machine guns for young whanau members to play with.
"Things popped out the back - they had all the gears, we'd never seen anything like it."
He said as well as his Rotorua roots through the iwi of Te Arawa and its Ngati Whakaue hapu, Sir Howard had strong links with the Tuhoe, spending most of his early years in the Ureweras.
Sir Howard had a close affiliation with his home village of Ohinemutu and only recently sung at the Rotorua RSA to raise funds for St Faith's church and Whakaturia whare kai (dining room).
His cousin, Monty Morrison, said it had been a huge honour to have one of its own knighted. Tribal members were preparing to welcome guests from throughout the country.
Among the first to pay tribute and extend condolences was Dame Malvina Major with whom sir Howard had frequently sung and toured.
Sir Howard's family were aware of the number of heartfelt tributes pouring onto websites in recognition of his great talent.
"They are very touched. It is very warming, very heartening," Monty Morrison said.
- NZPA
He will be buried alongside members of his whanau.
In line with his family's wishes he will lie at his Ohinemutu home on the shores of Lake Rotorua tonight before being carried the few metres to Tamatekapua, the premier meeting house of Te Arawa, where his public tangi will be held tomorrow from about 10am.
Tuesday was chosen for his farewell to allow his numerous relatives and friends from overseas the opportunity to say goodbye.
Family spokesman Temuera Morrison said his uncle's farewell would be a "huge celebration of a great life".
"Uncle would like it like that. He had the great ability to see celebration in everything. This is the way he wanted to go."
He said it had already become obvious that Sir Howard was a very popular man.
"So many accolades are already flowing in - the phone is ringing red hot."
His uncle had died peacefully in bed at his own home.
"He's got a little smile on his face."
Morrison said a number of Ohinemutu residents had noted that a "funny kind of surreal mist" had been hanging over the village at the time of Sir Howard's passing.
"Maybe he hopped on that, crossed the waters (of Lake Rotorua) and visited Mokoia Island as he started his great journey onward."
As well as having a beautiful voice Sir Howard always had an element of cheek about him, Morrison said.
He liked to `sus' people out to see where they were coming from.
He was very charismatic, performing everywhere. He had a remarkable following and the special gift of feeling an audience as he worked his way to his crescendo.
After his own father's death, members of his immediate family had been guided by their uncle Howard, Morrison said.
"He held a kind of awe for us, there was this mystique about him, but to us he was a father figure guiding us to stand on our own feet and hold our own."
He had fond memories of his uncle returning from a trip to the East with toy machine guns for young whanau members to play with.
"Things popped out the back - they had all the gears, we'd never seen anything like it."
He said as well as his Rotorua roots through the iwi of Te Arawa and its Ngati Whakaue hapu, Sir Howard had strong links with the Tuhoe, spending most of his early years in the Ureweras.
Sir Howard had a close affiliation with his home village of Ohinemutu and only recently sung at the Rotorua RSA to raise funds for St Faith's church and Whakaturia whare kai (dining room).
His cousin, Monty Morrison, said it had been a huge honour to have one of its own knighted. Tribal members were preparing to welcome guests from throughout the country.
Among the first to pay tribute and extend condolences was Dame Malvina Major with whom sir Howard had frequently sung and toured.
Sir Howard's family were aware of the number of heartfelt tributes pouring onto websites in recognition of his great talent.
"They are very touched. It is very warming, very heartening," Monty Morrison said.
- NZPA
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