While the flag of the King Movement lies still in the driving rain, the beautiful wreath given by the late King's family is borne along during the Ceremony of the Flowers.

And a King is laid to rest

Kingi Koroki leaves the marae on his last journey … to Taupiri mountain.

In a new but solemn ceremony, ‘The Ceremony of the Flowers’, black-dressed girls gathered the wreaths and carried them in slow procession while the Morehu Silver Band played well-known hymns.

During the service Canon Hamiora Rangiihu led the singing of ‘Piko nei te matenga’, the Psalm was recited by the Revd Hemi Potatau, a passage from John's Gospel was read by the local Roman Catholic priest, and Revd Kingi Ihaka gave the address and blessing before the cortege left for Taupiri, the sacred mountain of the Waikato tribe where all their paramount chiefs are buried.