Died: 23rd December 2023

E te rangatira, kua ngaro koe i tua te ārai,

Tangi ana me te hotu o te ngākau te whānau,

Maringi noa ngā roimata, ngā hupe

Te mea nui, ko mutu rā te mauiuitanga, te mamae

I taea koe ki te karo ngā āhua o te ao,

engari, kīhai tae koe ki te karo te taonga a te ringa aituā

Nō reira hoe atu to waka huhua ki te taumata o te okiokinga,

Kei reira e tatari ana to whaea, to matua, ōu matua tupuna

Ka puāwai ki reira

Nō reira moe atu, okioki atu, wairua atu

E kore rawa mātou e wareware

Haere, haere, haere atu rā

Te Au, Martin Springford (aka Uncle Marty, Big Matua, McMarty, Mart)

75 years of a life well lived.

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Uncle Marty on Saturday the 23rd of December 2023 in Christchurch Hospital.

A very much loved son of the late James and Piki Te Au.

Treasured brother and brother in law of Winsome and Michael Skerrett (Invercargill), Paka and Angus Te Au (Bellblock, New Plymouth), Eddie and Rikki Te Au Gore, Ora and Ken Barron and Marcia and Thom Thomson (Invercargill).

Also a much loved brother of our heavenly brothers and sisters, Neville, Paul, Karen, Tania and Kerry.

A very much loved uncle and grand uncle to his many nieces and nephews.

A very much loved Mart of his lifelong friend Louise Shannahan. 

We wish to acknowledge with love and respect Mandy and Steve from their (Big Matua), and Preston from his McMarty.

In accordance with Marty's wishes, a private cremation has been held.

A memorial service to celebrate Marty’s life will be held in early 2024.

Details to follow and be advised in mid January.

Messages to 60b Janet Street, Appleby Invercargill, 9812.