The husband of the Maori Queen has been buried next to her at Taupiri cemetery in an area traditionally reserved for descendants of the royal family.
Whatumoana Paki, the father of King Tuheitia, died on Thursday at the age of 85.
A funeral service was held for him earlier on Monday at Waahi Marae in Huntly before his burial at Taupiri cemetery.
A spokesperson for te whanau pani or the bereaved family, Hoturoa Kerr, says Mr Paki was buried next to Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu at Taupiri Kuao - an area reserved for royal members - in recognition of the huge support he gave to his late wife.
Mr Kerr says that honour is befitting of a man who stood like a kauri tree, sheltering and supporting his wife in both good and bad times for more than four decades.
He says the honour is also in recognition of the work Mr Paki did within the kingitanga, which included building homes in Kawhia.
Mr Paki married Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu 15 years before she was crowned in 1966.
Thousands of people attended his tangi and Mr Kerr says the family wants to thank all those who attended.
