Family, friends, colleagues and many of his much-loved Kawerau community gathered at the Kawerau Town Hall to celebrate the life of Eastern Bay of Plenty regional councillor Malcolm Campbell on Wednesday.

Many had stories to tell about the man who was the mayor of Kawerau of 21 years, a champion of not only his town and district but the whole the Eastern Bay and local government.

Around 700 people attended the service, which was livestreamed to the nearby Concert Chambers and outdoor seating.

After an opening karakia by Kawerau District Council’s cultural adviser Te Haukakawa “Boycie” Te Rire, the service was conducted by Campbell’s fellow Kawerau stalwart and long-time colleague Chris Marjoribanks, who made sure to let people sitting outside know who to blame.

“When he was in council he was part of the decision to reduce the size of the town hall, because ‘we wouldn’t have an occasion that would require this many seats’,” Marjoribanks said.

Marjoribanks spoke of Campbell’s fierce defence of his town and his Eastern Bay subregion when politicians came to him with ideas about what should be happening in his community.

“Malcolm did not hold back one moment to let them know ‘Kawerau people made decisions for Kawerau’. He never changed that. I know he would be flinching to hear words about amalgamation, something he was totally opposed to.”

Through their own tears and laughter, his two children, Ashley Schick and Byron Campbell shared memories of their father and stories he had told them of his childhood.

“We all know Dad loved to talk. No matter who you were or where you came from, he loved to hear your story, and in turn, he loved to share the stories of his life and family,” Schick said.

The only child of Jim and Dot Campbell he spent much of his childhood hanging out with his Yardley and Stewart cousins.

On leaving school, he joined the Yardley family butchery in which he became a qualified butcher. He left to work for Tasman pulp and paper mill before returning to the Yardley’s Kawerau shop with the intention of one day becoming his own boss.

During this time he married his wife Adrienne. Together, they set up the Promenade Meat Market in 1975, before starting a family.

Both children recalled the shop was a big part of their lives.

“Dad’s idea of daycare was taking us to work,” Schick said.

In later years he moved into a larger shop, which in later years would become his unofficial council office.

“He was there from sunrise to sunset most days.”

Byron Campbell painted a vivid picture of his father with his words.

“The back of Dad’s shop was his forum and he was the speaker of the house. In this house the vocab was often not fit for radio. On more than one occasion I walked into the back of the shop, which was often cold and wet, with meat hanging on hooks being processed for sale. Malcolm would be undertaking a meeting with some well-dressed person with shiny shoes.

“Malcolm standing in a blood-stained apron, gesticulating wildly, often with a knife in his hand – I don’t think he even registered just how confronting a big guy, shouting and waiving a bloody knife was.”

Kawerau District Council staff member and mayoral aide Majean Rogers talked about how Campbell had supported and fought for the youth of Kawerau.

A former Kawerau Youth Council member himself, he recalled how Campbell always made himself available for the people of his town.

“His butcher’s shop was always open. We’d always go in and say, hi, and he always made us welcome,” he said.

Other speakers included Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council chairwoman Matemoana McDonald, former Rotorua mayor and Labour minister Steve Chadwick and current Kawerau Mayor Faylene Tunui.

Tunui talked about how he could be a hard man, but with a big heart and a soft side for everyone he cared about.

“He will be remembered as a family man, and a community man. A man loved by Kawerau, loved by the Eastern Bay but by his family, first and foremost.

“It’s time to take the armour off now mate,” she said.