November 16, 2022
Wira Gardiner Centre for the Child set in ink
Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi today signed an agreement with the Minister for Children to establish a research centre in the name of the late Ta Wira Gardiner.
Wananaga chief executive Wiremu Doherty says the Gardiner Centre for the Child will explore how resources and decision-making can be shared with whānau, hapū, iwi and communities to encourage more community-driven approaches that benefit children.
Ta Wira, who died in March, helped found the wananga and led it at various times.
He also served in the military, as chief executive of the Ministry of Maori Development Te Puni Kokiri, and in his last role, as acting chief executive of Oranga Tamariki.
The centre will be based in Wellington, where Whakatane-based Awanuiarangi is keen to establish a larger institute.
A memorial service for Ta Wira we held today in the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul in Molesworth St.