Captions by Kristin Williams. Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2022 (PEACEFUL MUSIC) - Today we are in Porirua, which is just north of Wellington, New Zealand. We've just opened up a new branch in Porirua to accommodate our families at the bottom of the North Island. (GUITAR MUSIC PLAYS, STOPS) - # Tutira mai... # (CHUCKLES) Guys, come on. - No, hang on. (LAUGHTER) - Tutira mai... (LAUGHS) - Me and Dad have come down to Porirua to sing some waiata for the retirement village. - We hope to go there and drum up some potential business. - It's me, Dad, Leka, Sefa, Peter. - We'll have a practise of some of our songs. What should we do as a warm-up? - Pokarekare Ana. - Yeah. (GUITAR PLAYS GRACEFULLY) - That's an easy song. - Yeah. - OK, let's go. - ALL: # Pokarekare ana... # - Oh my gosh. - We're going to the Summerset Retirement Village to promote ourselves because we're new in the area. So, I wanna make a good impression, so it's important that we get all our songs right, we get all our notes and tunes right. - ALL: # Hoki mai ra... # - Ordinarily, I'd go to sing a waiata just with the guitar, but I thought, let's bring my son to play the cajon, the little drum, just cos it adds another dimension. - You know when we go # E hine e... # I was wondering, could we do the echo? # E hine e... # - # E hine e... # - Oh, yeah. So, some of us do that, and then maybe Peter can do the echo. Shall we try that? - Whoa. What? Hang on. (LAUGHTER) - (CHUCKLES) Peter gets a solo, eh. - ALL: # Hoki mai rai. - # Hoki mai rai. - Surprisingly, Peter has taken the echoes of one of the beautiful Maori songs, Pokarekare Ana, and he just rolls with it. - ALL: # ...aroha e. # - # Te aroha e. # - Oh, yes, that's the one. - Aw. - (CHUCKLES) - So, I'm looking at my son, thinking about what he's wearing, and I'm hoping that he's brought some nice clothes for a visit to the rest home apopo. - I didn't see what was wrong with what I was wearing. It's what I wear all the time. You know, these pants are the best pants you could get, you know. - ALL: # ... e. # - # Te aroha e. # - So beautiful. Yes. - He's a typical teenager, and I've just gotta, sort of, try and mould him and get him into, you know... Well, this. (CHUCKLES) Mm. (ENCHANTING MUSIC) (POIGNANT MUSIC) - Today we are caring for Anthony Maika Talagi who passed away from heart problems. The family had requested a viewing time from 10am to 3pm in our chapel. I think it is quite beautiful that the family are able to spend that amount of time with Mr Talagi, given that he is not going home. And it is also a time for the family just to reflect on family members who come through to share memories of their father. And I think it is quite special, given that the Niuean culture usually do leave their loved ones in our care at our funeral home. - And Father, we are here because of someone very special to us ` Anthony Maika Talagi, whom you have called home to be with you, and that you would take care of him And that he's at peace. Amen. ` ALL: Amen. - The minister leading the service said something profound and beautiful. She said that Mr Talagi's spirit is no longer with us, and what remains is just a vessel, his body that we're here to mourn over. This reminds me of a saying that we have in te ao Maori. (SPEAKS TE REO MAORI) (INDISTINCT CONVERSATION) - There is a hat being worn by his grandson. The hat is quite ancient, but it was one of the old bus drivers hats that the family had kept, as Mr Talagi was a bus driver as well as an army veteran. (AMBIENT MUSIC) So, Mr Talagi is being presented in an American wooden blue caskets. It is a selection of casket from his family. Dad really loved the blue colour in life, so we find that he looks very elegant. The family are very pleased with their selection. So, I have asked Francis to come and close Mr Talagi's casket, and we are now putting Mr Talagi into the hearse. I will drive Mr Talagi with his wife. - Mum, you come with me this way to the back. - 'And Francis will come in his own vehicle.' - I'll just get some paperwork for there. - Yeah. - And now we are transferring Mr Talagi from our funeral home in Onehunga for his final funeral service, where the masses of people have tuned out to farewell a great man. Just shows the respect, the huge amount of respect that they all have for this man. - Francis tends to come with me when there are large amounts of people so that he can assist in the preparation of giving our loved ones the best send-off. And in this occasion, it's great to have him there, as there is a crowd of 300 people. (ATTENDEES CHANT IN NIUEAN) Very emotional to hear the chanting from our old people as we bring him into the chapel for his final service. (CHANTING CONTINUES) - Dear Grandpa, there will never be enough words to express how thankful I am for how welcoming and caring you were to my cousins, aunties, uncles, and my grandparents from my mum's family. I told myself I was the lucky one out of us grandkids because I got the most time with you. (SNIFFLES, SIGHS) I will miss you so much. (SOBS) - Dad, I love you. Enjoy the next path, your next journey. Thankfully, he is now at peace,.. in a better place,... free, strong to run around, to drive, to play the pokies, to play darts. He's free now to do all of that. - On four. - It has now come to the end of the service. We have come forward to the chapel to bring Mr Talagi out for his final journey down to the crematorium. (ATTENDEES CHANT IN NIUEAN) - The angel appeared to the wounded soldier, prepared to take him to heaven. The angel asked, 'Why are you afraid?' The soldier whispered, 'If you take me, I can't do my duty.' The angel lifted him gently, and as he closed his eyes, he heard the vow that gave him peace. 'Rest, warrior. I will stand your watch. 'Stand down. 'The watch is over.' (HORN TOOTS) - And now, after the final farewells, Nona takes Mr Talagi for a private cremation. - FIONA: Mr Anthony Talagi, (SPEAKS FOREIGN LANGUAGE). - VOICE-OVER: Morning, Ricky. - What? - You're in an ad for fibre. - What's that? - It's a tiny cable under your feet connecting New Zealand to fast, reliable broadband. Let's go. (PAINT SPLASHES) ECHOES: Aah! I thought you said it was a tiny cable. - It is. This is a metaphor. And as the country's needs grow, our fibre network can deliver way, way more when we need it. It's bigger than we can even imagine, Ricky. (RUMBLING BUILDS) (CURIOUS MUSIC) - It's the morning of our promotional visit to the Summerset Retirement Village in Aotea. And so, I'm feeling very nervous. Very, very nervous. There's a fine line between entertaining and entertaining as a funeral director at a retirement village. And so, you don't wanna come across distasteful. And so, you know` But everything I talk about, and everything I do, is about death. But these people are well and truly alive. And so, we wanna make sure not to offend anybody. But also, I wanna make sure all our waiata and our practice comes together smoothly, without any hitch. (ORCHESTRAL MUSIC) And to add to my worry and nervousness, one of our strong singers, Sefa, has to remain back at the funeral home to attend to a family. - Sefa, so you're can't` You're not coming cos of that family coming at 11, eh. - Yeah, yeah. Got the family coming in. (CLEARS THROAT) - We're gonna miss your voice. - Oh, thank` - I know you really wanted to come ` all the practice we've been doing together. - Yeah. - 'And on top of all that, my son, he's come dressed in the same clothes that he had on yesterday.' - Well, just to, you know, let youse know, I did bring some undies and some toiletries. No holes, no skiddies. They're all fresh, you know. Beautiful. Washed them the other night. That's what matters. Chur, Dad. - We don't wanna keep the rest home waiting. So, Sefa, we'll see you soon, eh. - Yes, all right. - Thank you for looking after the family. - No worries. - And I'm sorry that you can't come. - Yeah nah, I'm sorry I can't be there, yeah. - (CHUCKLES) No, you're not. - (LAUGHS) - (LAUGHS) Such a liar. - (CHUCKLES) What? - Bye, Sefa. - Nah, he can't sing. - But to brighten up my day, my wife has arrived, and she will add that harmony that we all know so well. - What's that last bit you sing when we go, 'Hi aue hi'? - Mm. - Just before that? - Um... # Puritia ki a mau. # 'Kiss'. Hi aue hi. # - 'Peter has a real beautiful energy for things Maori.' The way he embraces our culture, obviously, being similar, of the Tokelauan culture as well. And so, he's just really into all the waiata, you know. Puritia ki a mau ` Grab it and hold it. - # Puritia ki a mau. # 'Kiss'. Hi aue hi. # - Is it 'gesi' or 'hesi'? - Is it` (CHUCKLES) She asked, 'Is it 'gesi'?' (LAUGHTER) - (CHUCKLES) Gesi! # Puritia ki a mau. # 'Gess'. Hi aue hi. # (LAUGHTER) - (CLAPS) - I'm expecting a big crowd. Oh, not many. - (CHUCKLES) - If any. - If any. (CHUCKLES) - We could reschedule till when there's 200. (LAUGHTER) - We might end up just singing to the staff. - No, well, who wants to look death in the eyes? - (CHUCKLES) - Mm. (ENCHANTING MUSIC) (SERENE MUSIC) - Today we are caring for Mr Penitito Falealeniu, who passed away from cancer. It is quite special for me to look after Mr Falealeniu as I know the family quite personally. It is comforting to know that the family can entrust me with their loved one and know that I will give it 100% to give them the best send-off for his children and wife. - He loved his grandkids. That was the one thing my kids shared with me. (SNIFFLES) They're gonna miss asking him (SPEAKS SAMOAN). Gonna miss you, Dad. - Anything Dad needed, he would call. (WEEPS) And when I get there, (SPEAKS SAMOAN). (GENTLE LAUGHTER) Dad,... fa'amagalo mai. (WEEPS) (SPEAKS SAMOAN) (SNIFFLES) (POIGNANT ORCHESTRAL MUSIC) Manuia lou malaga, Dad. - 'It is a very emotional time now as the service has concluded at the funeral home for the family service. 'And we are now getting ready to take Mr Falealenui home, in Mangere.' - OK, family, we'll see you at home, eh. - Yeah. - No worries. (GRACEFUL MUSIC) (ENGINE WHIRRS, GRAVEL CRUNCHES SLOWLY) - 'We have arrived under the cover of night, 'and we are now taking Mr Falealenui through the back of his home into a beautiful decorative area, 'which is usually the prayer area for the family, 'to place him on a base that has been beautifully covered by the tapa.' - And then come towards me now. - Yup. - Nice. - The priest has arrived as well, and the prayers will continue at the home, as that is part of Mr Falealenui's life was the church. (FAMILY PRAY IN SAMOAN) (ELEGANT MUSIC) - It is the morning of Mr Falealenui's funeral. I have arrived to his residence, and I am now organising the pallbearers, as well as the family, to farewell him and make sure that we are on time. - (SPEAKS SAMOAN) - It is quite hard for Pe'elua, who is the youngest son, to farewell his father, given that he is the youngest, but also the one that did most Dad's chores or Dad's request for late night McDonald drop-offs. So watching Pe'elua farewell him, I understand how he is feeling and giving him a few minutes just to farewell his dad. - Come, baby. Kiss. One more time. Kiss papa goodbye, eh. - I have asked for both sons to close his casket, and we will now proceed outside to take Mr Falealeniu into the hearse and into his final service at church. - Uh, you were meant to shave that. What happened to shaving, mate? I was waiting for my egg sandwich too. Gosh. Jeepers. I was like, 'Don't be crying. Where's my egg sandwiches? Gosh.' - Cos I was praying. - All good. All right. (ATTENDEES SING HYMN IN SAMOAN) - We have arrived to St Therese church. We are greeted by the priest, and we are now heading through to take Mr Falealeniu's body into the church for the final mass. Families are now pouring in with their iapalagi to place on top of his casket as a sign of love and respect. It is a beautiful funeral mass for a beautiful man. (ATTENDEES SING HYMN IN SAMOAN) (POIGNANT MUSIC) (ATTENDEES SING HYMN IN SAMOAN) - Take your time. Step over. Step over. Two hands, Lagi. Two hands. Two hands. (SINGING CONTINUES) Keep going. Keep going. Keep going. - Our brother Penitito Falealeniu Leafa, may the Lord now welcome him to the table of God's children in heaven. (POIGNANT ORCHESTRAL MUSIC) - Now we have laid you to rest, Mr Falealeniu, ia manuia lou malaga. (TWINKLY MUSIC) - FRANCIS: A very good morning and kia ora to everybody. As we walked in here, my son said, 'Dad, when you get older, this is where I'm gonna put you, in one of these.' (LAUGHTER) And I was happy. I was like, 'Yes, I wanna come here. It's so beautiful.' - We're going to the Summerset Retirement Village in the hope to acquire some future work, but also to promote ourselves because we're new in the area, so I wanna make a good impression. - We thought we'd come in and explain a little bit about ourselves. We're a bit nervous about it cos we don't know how to approach it and how to talk, especially people who are living and, you know, in a retirement village. - You give him the mic, and his mouth was just... (IMITATES AIR WHOOSHING) - Our poor son, we drag him along. He goes, 'Where are we going now?' 'To a retirement village.' 'A what?!' - I'm looking at my son, and he's been told, or asked, by his father to dress appropriately. - Excuse his dirty shorts. - I said to him, 'Well, look at your shorts,' and he goes, 'Well, I've just washed the cars.' - I think these are the same shorts he wore yesterday for practice. Oh my gosh, son. - Yeah, they were still the same, but, like, they were still clean, I reckon. It was just stains from, you know, when I was working on the angels and painting. It's just a few stains, you know. It shouldn't be that bad, was it? (CHUCKLES) (GUITAR PLAYS) - You might know this song ` Haere Mai. - ALL: # Haere mai. - Wow. - # Everything is ka pai. # - I feel a beautiful wairua here today. And you can tell by their expressions, and they're singing as well. - You're welcome. - ALL: # You're welcome as the sunshine... # - 'Performing in front of all of these live people is really not as bad as I thought it would be.' They're just really engaged in the songs, and they're clapping and singing, and I'm just` I'm taken aback, actually. - Let's finish it together. - ALL: # Haere mai. # - Dang. Good work. - Aw. - Oh, wonderful. (GUITAR FLOURISH) - Good work. (APPLAUSE) - We're all having a good sing-song. But then old Peter... - ALL: # E hine e. - # E hine e. - He busts out his solo. - # Hoki mai ra. You jam it out, Peter. - ALL: # ...ahau. - # Ka mate ahau. - ALL: # I te aroha e. # - We're having fun. We're having a good time. - # ...aroha e. # - Thank you all very much. - I really enjoyed the day. There was some beautiful singing happening. My stained shorts have been forgotten. - Thank you. Thank you for that. Thank you, sir. Aw. - That caught me by surprise. And you know, so we were able to sign some books, have some selfies with them. I almost felt like they were my nannie and koro as well, cos they were all so loving. - And you've got five children, you lucky girl. Oh my God. - Yeah. (CHUCKLES) Hey, he's my sixth one. - (LAUGHS) - Oh. - All in all, I think it was a great success, and I'm very happy with the outcome. - He is so gorgeous.