A large crowd has gathered at Te Kura Whare in Tāneatua, just south of Whakatāne to celebrate the life of former deputy PM Sir Michael Cullen.
Cullen, 76, died in Whakatāne in hospice care on August 19, 2021.
At the time the family held a private funeral service and said a public memorial service would follow.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has told the crowd she is a beneficiary of Cullen’s legacy.
One story she shared with those gathered was that Cullen was not always good at opening messages.
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Demonstrating this by sharing when she sent him a text message which he left unopened before he died.
”So today I will read that message with all of you instead.
“Michael at the risk of sentimentality which I suspect you probably hate I wanted to say thank you. You will never know the impact you have had on me.”
Through tears, she continued
“Thanks for always having time for me know matter what stage in my political career. Thank you for your intellect, your humour, your kindness, there is no one like you Michael, I am so lucky to have known you lots of love from me.”
MARK TAYLOR/Stuff
The public will get the opportunity to remember Sir Michael Cullen at a memorial on Saturday.
Earlier, Annette King, former deputy prime minister, and currently the high commissioner to Australia, has told those gathered of her close friendship with Cullen.
She described him as a doer, thinker and a problem solver.
“He was the master of the one-liner, with a witt that is rare.”
She said he used to pass her notes at question time, “most I can’t repeat”.
In her opinion he was one of the best politicians in New Zealand’s history.
The former finance minister, who had retired to Ōhope, had announced his lung cancer diagnosis in March 2020.
Cullen had served as deputy prime minister from 2002 to 2008, and as finance minister from 1999 to 2008, under Helen Clark’s Labour Government.
At the time of his death Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said, in a statement, he was one of the most influential figures in New Zealand politics over the last 40 years.
“Intelligent, funny and kind he left a significant legacy for the country,” Ardern said.
Cullen, who was first elected to Parliament in 1981, also served as Minister of Finance, Minister of Tertiary Education, and Attorney-General.
He retired from Parliament in 2009, took up various governance roles including chairing the Earthquake Commission, and was involved in the Treaty of Waitangi settlement negotiations for Te Kotahitanga o Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Ngāi Tūhoe.
He stood down from the position of chairman of the Bay of Plenty and Lakes District Health Boards when announcing his cancer diagnosis in March 2020.
Live: Memorial service for Sir Michael Cullen in Tāneatua & Latest News Update
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