A spokesperson for Opaea Marae says they are expecting around 1000 people for the tangi of Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp.
Kemp has been lying at the marae, near Taihape, since Saturday.
Kemp died suddenly last week following a battle with kidney disease and was farewelled by Parliament on Thursday.
Opaea Marae trustee Cyril Mako said preparing to host the masses in such a short time was tough, but many whānau pitched in to prepare today’s nēhu (burial).
Mako said the marae was very small and they relied on other marae nearby for help preparing meals and housing people who could not fit at Opaea Marae.
Kemp had been on dialysis as she battled kidney disease. (Source: 1News)
Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins and other party members were welcomed onto the marae just after 9am.
Speaking at a post-cabinet media conference, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he would not be attending the tangi, but the National Party would be well represented.
Luxon also ruled out announcing a date for the Tāmaki Makarau by-election, triggered by Kemp’s death, saying he wanted the week to be focused on her.
Speaking to media, Hipkins said he would not criticise the prime minister for not attending but the death of a sitting member of Parliament was rare.
The nēhu, or burial service, begins at 11am and the day will be streamed live online.
This story was updated to clarify that the nēhu was on Tuesday
rnz.co.nz
