The best grandad in the world - a simple but moving tribute put on the casket of former governor-general Sir Paul Reeves today, shortly before his state funeral began in Auckland.
A congregation of church leaders and dignitaries was told the good Sir Paul achieved lived with him and would be buried with him.
"Sir Paul was a Maori Christian in whom there was no guile and for that the communion was exceedingly grateful," said the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu.
He said, as anyone who played rugby would know, as a player ran towards the try line with the ball in hand, he would hear the words "with you, with you" as menacing people in front were determined to stop him.
"Sir Paul learnt those words first not from the All Blacks or the world of rugby, but from Jesus Christ, who said 'I am with you until the end of time'."
From his baptism, Sir Paul had entered the biggest tribe on earth, the tribe of Jesus of Nazareth, Archbishop Sentamu said.
Sir Paul broke down barriers of all kinds in church and society, he said.
"He celebrated and brought to prominence his Maori heritage in the life of this nation and the church in a way that honoured and respected all throughout the communion."
He said after Sir Paul retired as governor-general in 1991, he went to New York with the church, where his elegant voice and unique perspective meant the church could raise many pressing issues facing the United Nations, its related organisations.
That wakened the church to its responsibilities in the international community, he said.
"With his death the church and the global community have lost one of the great iconic figures," said Archbishop Sentamu.
In a comment directed at Sir Paul's widow, Lady Beverley Reeves and her family, Archbishop Sentamu said the community grieved with them but "also rejoiced that here is a man who was proud to be a priest of the Anglican church".
He was a man of great dignity and of great respect, he said.
As Sir Paul was taken to the cathedral in a slow march, he was accompanied by a full military guard of honour.
Mourners on either side of the street bowed their heads and police officers saluted as he passed and when his casket was removed from the hearse at the cathedral, a rousing haka broke out.