The new dean of the University of Waikato’s School of Maori and Pacific Development says one of his priorities will be immersion classes to strengthen his reo Maori.
Professor Brendan Hokowhitu from Ngati Pukenga takes up the role next year after four years in Canada, where he is dean at the University of Alberta’s faculty of native studies.
He holds a degree in physical education from Otago University, a masters from the University of Victoria in Canada and a PhD from Otago, where he spent a decade lecturing in the Te Tumu School of Maori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies.
He says he shifted to Canada because he was keen to learn from other indigenous cultures, but he wants to return so his youngest children can grow up among one of their own cultures.
He replaces Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith, who wants to focus on her university-wide role as Pro Vice-Chancellor Maori.
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