Takamore buried despite court order

James Takamore was buried in the Bay of Plenty today without his partner of 20 years and children present.

Police failed to execute a court order preventing the burial because they didn't have the numbers to tackle the emotionally charged situation.

Mr Takamore died from an aneurysm on Friday. His body was bundled into a hire van and driven from Christchurch to his home marae near Opotiki at the weekend against the wishes of his partner Denise Clarke and the couple's two children who want him buried in Christchurch.

In an interview on Campbell Live Mr Takamore's sister Tania McCormack said he had to be brought to his marae.

"This is his home here," she said.

"It was really important for us to get him home. His cord (umbilical cord) is here, we can't stretch it to the South Island."

Mr Takamore was the eldest child and his father was also buried at the marae. His mother was still alive and in Maoridom that was an important blood line, she said.

"The love of a marriage is different to the love of a mother and the importance for us was his mother's love," she said. "That's the beauty of being Maori."

Ms Clarke told The Press newspaper today she was devastated.

"He told me he wanted to be buried here. I definitely want him here with all his family. He has been here nearly 20 years. We are his family more than they are, I would say."

Ms Clarke said she had been told as executor of his will she had legal custody of his body.

Ms Clarke vowed to continue the fight in the courts.

The most famous incident of whanau removing a body followed the death of comedian Billy T James in 1991.