Maurice WALDEN Obituary

Aue e te whanaunga, tino ohorere ahau I te kite atu kua wheturangitia ke a koe ki te Ao Marama. Moe mai, moe mai, moe mai ra.

Mr Walden was the best teacher I ever had in my life in Australia and England. I remember him teaching us a song called Cialito Lindo in Mosman Primary School in Sydney in about 1968 and I will never forget him. He was the BEST! I was just thinking of him because that song has been on my brain for some reason and I am very sad to find that he has passed. It's also really weird because I am just planning to visit Mt Taranaki next year as it is the grave site of an ancestor of mine who was killed in the Maori Wars. Now I have two graves to visit. Sending love to Mr Walden's family. He was HUGELY respected by all my primary school friends I'm still in touch with, and now I am 67! He will never be forgotten.

Maurice taught me at Mosman primary school in Sydney Australia he took us on a singing dancing tour of NZ I will always remember his energy

Te Tai ra. Te Tai ra.
E Pari ana Te Tai ki Hea.
Ki Hea Te Rangatira.
He Aitua He Aitua.

Nga Mihi Aroha me Te Mamae me Nga Roimata
ki a Toia, ki a Ngawai me Te Whanau pani.

We have heard with sadness that Maurice has passed. We send our deepest condolences.

We reflect on the first time we met Buster at the Walden reunion at Pukekohe in 1993 where we delighted at the sweet melodious voices of our Walden relatives and their warm and welcoming embraces.
Buster led the contingent from Taranaki and regaled us with many, unknown to us, stories of their Walden line to our common Grandfather Richard.

It was a wonderful weekend.

We continued to see Buster, Toia and Ngawai from time to time and would traverse all manner of subjects when we met.
But remember well an evening of fun and laughter in 2013 when we attended a concert of the Five Legends of NZ Country Western amongst whom was our cousin Paul Walden.

Much has been spoken of Maurice but we remember him as humble man of high intellect and integrity , who loved his family and his people.

He was a passionate, eloquent educator and his contribution to The Taranaki Settlement will be enduring.

A true Gentleman, humorous, elegant and always thoughtful toward others.

He will be sadly missed.

Moe mai ra Te Rangatira, moe mai ki runga i to moenga roa , moea te moe roa,

Haere, hoki, okioki atu ra.

Na Wayne & Meryl Walden

Today I Google searched your name knowing a lot of information on you will be displayed right before my eyes and then the tears just fell. Most recently I've listened to that recording of you trying to teach us that Whanau Maria waiata more tears fell, tears of appreciation for your creativity and awesomeness love and compassion for teaching and continuously sharing your greatness.
Thank you so much for being a great influencer of all things beautiful most especially te ao Maori. Madison and I will miss you dearly.

It’s a long time since I’ve enjoyed the company of Buster but my memories of him are strong. I played basketball with him for the Educats.
He sang in a band. Alli and I often went the Memorial Hall in Stratford or the Queens Hall in NP just because of him.
We danced to his music. It seems that so many danced to his music.
Now the music has gone but the melody will linger on.
RIP Buster
Eddie Betts

kua Hinga te totara e moe Matua Maurice e kore koe e warewaetia..Nga mahara pai aataahua i waiho mai e koe ki a matou me ou tini hoa. Rere nga roimata, Rere Nga whaakaro, rere atu nga aroha nui o Te Tai Tokerau. Maori Ora. Nga mini ki a koutou Marae Whanau Maria: Na Maata, Waitaruke, Tai Tokerau.

Nga mihi kia koe whanau WALDEN.

Saddened to learn of Buster's passing. He was a great teacher, entertainer, tennis player and a dear friend to our late parents, Joan and John, also Hilary, Adrienne and Rowena (deceased). Fond memories of the times that he spent around our dinner table and on family vacations at Takapuna Beach. Our love and heartfelt sympathy to Toia and Ngawai.

As a foundation pupil at Hawera Intermediate Buster was an amazing form teacher who had a lasting impact on me. Meagan Roach

Maurice, a people's man with huge talent in many areas. He had an unforgettable smile and aroha for all.

Great memories of one of our best teachers at Hawera Intermediate . As foundation pupils we could not have wished for a more caring and great teacher. Last caught up at 50th Jubilee. Rest in Peace. Linda Howson (Kemsley)

Maurice, A warm and wonderful man with a real presence. Gone but never forgotten. RIP Suzie King Papatoetoe High School

He mini. He mihi. He mihi. Buster, a great friend, teacher and mentor. Your support for the rangatahi o Waitara was always positive and full of humour. Have fond memories of those days Ngawai. Sincere condolences.
Pauline Tattersall

Always remembered with love and respect. Dravitzki family.

Dear Matua
Words fail one when I realise I will not hear your voice or see your smiling face .. You have made it easy though to say farewell because you have made it clear to us throughout your life how precious it is and it has been your life's work to show us just how much you appreciated people and life itself .. You are the most worthy recipient of life , you used this gift from God to trust and love other people with humility and grace .. My dearest Uncle with much aroha and sadness I give thanks for your life .. A treasured soul for our times, for Maoridom, for our world Haere, Haere atu ra

I have wonderful memories of Buster,
a true gentleman, singing, speaking and running.

May the road rise up to meet him,
the wind be always at his back.

May the sun shine warm upon his face,
the rains fall soft upon his feilds,

And until we meet again,
May God hold him in the
palm of His hand.

Maurice you will always be missed. Thank you for your Mahi at Papatoetoe High School and for your friendship. Glad you were able to witness Liverpool win a Premiership. The Aussie Open will miss you. May God keep you well. To God we belong and to him is our return.

Omar Dada

Tena korua Toia and Ngawai
Our deepest sympathies to you and whanau. I was blessed to interact with Buster on many levels - as a colleague, his student, his boss and most importantly as a true friend.

Kua hinga te ttara i Te Waonui-a-Tne.

Peter and Diane Gall

We are very sorry to read of Maurice's death. He was a fantastic neighbour and friend to us and our other Braeview Crescent neighbours. A very special person. We remember him fondly.
Steve & Chris Rodgers

To Busters family, please accept our deepest sympathy in your sad loss our thoughts are with you all, regards
Graeme & Joan Kennedy

Sad to read the news. I remember him fondly from my school days. A very nice man and excellent educator. A big loss for Maoridom.

sad to read of Busters passing he was one of the best teachers I had for the 2 years of Intermediate school in 1961-62, R I P Buster your beautiful smile will always remain with me. Leann Bulmer (Feather)