November 22, 2022
Tohu recognises mahi of Professor Whatarangi Winiata
Iwi Chairs Forum member Dame Naida Glavish says the ceremony to bestow the forum’s Te Whare Pūkenga Award on Ngāti Raukawa leader Whatarangi Winiata on his home marae at Otaki was a magnificent occasion.
Professor Winiata is the third recipient of the tohu, after the late Moana Jackson and Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi.
Dame Naida says he has served his hapū and iwi and Māoridom with humility for decades.
As well as his work in mainstream university education as a professor of accounting, he had a parallel career setting up and running Te Wānanga o Raukawa to maintain the language and culture of his own people.
“All the work he’s done in education, the work that he’s done in the community, the work he has done for the reo and still does – I believe he’s still offering reo lessons with his son Kimo. It’s just absolutely magnificent. He’s still working, right up to now,” Dame Naida says.
Professor Winiata was also the founding president of the Māori Party, a role also held by Dame Naida.