July 20, 2016
Educator fought for bicultural schooling
One of the champions of the Maori education workforce will be laid to rest today.
Tauri Jumbo Morgan died last Friday, and hundreds of mourners have been through his tangi at Ngati Rangiwewehi's Tarimano Marae on the western shore of Lake Rotorua.
Mr Morgan returned to Rotorua after retiring as principal of Waiouru Primary School, but stayed closely connected to the sector as the kaumatua for the New Zealand Principal's Federation for 15 years.
During a special tribute to him at last year's federation conference in his home town, president Denise Torrey says he was able to give presidents strength and confidence as advocates.
He encouraged a partnership with the Maori principals' association that led to Te Akatea members being elected to the federation's national executive.
Together the groups worked with the Education Ministry to develop the Maori Achievement Collaboratives designed to build bicultural school communities.
Te Arawa leader Sir Toby Curtis credits Mr Morgan with inspiring him to become a teacher after they became friends on the rugby field in Rotorua in the late 1950s.
He was both an innovator in Maori education and someone who looked out for the interests of young people.
The funeral service for Tauri Morgan was held this morning, after which he will be buried in Puhirua.
As his favourite saying went,
Whakataka te hau ki te Uru,
Whakataka te hau ki te Tonga,
Kia maakinakina ki uta
Kia maataratara ki tai
E hi ake ana te atakura
he tio, he huka, hew hau hu
Tihei mauri ora.
Cease the winds from the west,
Cease the winds from the south,
Let the breeze blow over the land,
Let the breeze blow over the ocean,
Let the red-tipped dawn come with a sharpened air,
A touch of frost, a promise of a glorious day.
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com