June 11, 2015
Tireless treaty champion dies
The first permanent staff member of the Waitangi Tribunal, Maarire Goodall, has died after a long illness.
Dr Goodall joined the tribunal as a registrar in 1986 after a distinguished career in cancer research and teaching.
During his time at the University of Chicago he became involved in the civil rights movement and participated in the Mississippi Freedom Summer of 1964, and continued to display a lifetime commitment to social justice.
Born and raised in Murihiku, he had a close association with the Ellison whanau of Otakau and participated in the resurgence of Ngai Tahu ki Otakou after he returned to teach at the Otago University Medical School in the 1970s.
During his three years at the tribunal he oversaw the hearing of claims including Bastion Point, Mangonui, Waiheke, Muriwhenua Fisheries, and the start of the Ngai Tahu Fisheries.
Lawyer and former tribunal staff member Paul Harman says he worked tirelessly bringing his administrative and intellectual skills to bear on the issues in front of the tribunal, laying the foundation for the next 20 years of historical claim inquiries.
As well as publishing more than 100 refereed international scientific journal papers, Dr Goodall published many historical and literary works in Maori and English and composed music.
He is survived by his son Anake.
Copyright © 2015, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com