The release of Sir Wira Gardiner’s biography of the late Parekura Horomia: Kia Ora, Chief! was greeted by whānau and friends with pride, love and delight.

It took two book launches at Hinemaurea ki Māngātuna and at Parliament, befitting the reverence and respect in which his memory is still held. Books flew off the shelves – and out of the box before it left the marae carpark – the first print-run of 2000 copies sold out in just three days following its release. A second run of 1500 was quickly trotted out to meet Christmas demand.