The Script Lounge Writing Retreats & Script Development

14/11/2025

07/11/2025

Moe Mai e te Rangatira, I roto i te aroha 🙏🏽❤️🖤🤍
Thank you for your trail blazing to put Māori filmmaking & actors on the world screens

Haere rā e hika koutou ko ō mātua,
Unuhia i te rito o te harakeke,
Ka tū i te aroākapa,
Aku nui, aku rahi e,
Aku whakatamarahi ki te rangi.
Waiho te iwi e,
Māna e māe noa.

Farewell, beloved Lee, go to your elders,
Plucked from the heart of the flax bush.
You stand now before the ranks of ancestors
My great ones, my esteemed,
My towering figures who reach to the heavens.
Leave us, your people,
To bear the ache of your absence.
—
Whānau, friends and colleagues are welcome to come pay their respects at Te Mahurehure Marae, 65/73 Premier Avenue, Point Chevalier on 9 November:

9:00am 10:30am Pōwhiri for Lee and immediate whānau.

Manuhiri will be welcomed from 10:30am and through the day.

Lee will then journey to Te Tairawhiti for a private, final farewell with close family and friends.

All Media Enquiries:

The family kindly requires privacy at this time, and direct all media enquiries to:

Mātai Smith, Tūranga FM
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0212264698

For further information, visit the Tūranga FM page.

https:/ /www.facebook.com/TurangaFmMedia

We kindly ask that no flowers be sent, but if you wish to show your love and support, a koha would be warmly appreciated. Contributions can be made directly into the bank account provided, and we are truly grateful for any gesture, big or small.

JUSTINE VAN TRAA
02-0500-0827127-066

Tangihanga Schedule:

Day 1 - November 8
The whānau will share one night with Lee at his home; they request privacy at this time.

Day 2 - November 9
Te Mahurehure Marae
Address: 65/73 Premier Avenue, Point Chevalier, Auckland

Limited parking on the street; please consider public transport or car pooling.

Schedule:
07:00-08:00: Media interviews with family spokespeople:

Te Kohe Tuhaka
Mia Henry-Teirney

Te Mahurehure Marae will make a dedicated space available for media to set up.

09:00 Pōwhiri – Lee Tamahori and whānau arrive

10:00 onwards – Te Mahurehure will welcome manuhiri throughout the day.

Day 3 - November 10
Travel to Tairāwhiti

Lee and whānau will travel to Te Tairāwhiti for a private, final farewell.