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April 30, 2023
Emeritus Professor Wally Penetito enters the Iwi Chairs’ prestigious Te Whare Pūkenga
Media Release
Posted On April 30, 2023
Emeritus Professor Wally Penetito enters the Iwi Chairs’ prestigious Te Whare Pūkenga
MEDIA RELEASE
Friends, family and former colleagues travelled the length and breadth of the Country to celebrate Wally Penetito’s admission to Te Whare Pūkenga. Today Prof. Penetito joined a very small and select group of Whare Pūkenga inductees which includes Moana Jackson, Professor Whatarangi Winiata and Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi each of whom have significantly impacted the lives of whānau Māori in Aotearoa.
About 150 people came together at Raungaiti Marae in the Waikato for the event along with his wife Sheena, their three children, grandchildren and extended whānau/hapū. A delegation from the National Iwi Chairs Forum, led by Antony Royal (Ngāti Tamatērā) presented Professor Penetito with a pounamu taonga and a citation prepared by his Iwi.
Tuhourangi Iwi Chair, Kirikōwhai Mikaere said that “Professor Penetito is a prolific writer who published “What’s Māori About Māori Education?” in 2010 which has gone on to influence how Māori education is delivered throughout the country’s schools. At 83 years old he is still guest lecturing in institutions globally and continues to write. Wally’s educational career has been dedicated to equity for Māori in education.”
On presentation of the award, those gathered performed haka and waiata in celebration. Messages were read from absent friends including Professor Margaret Mutu, Professor Whatarangi Winiata and Te Huia Bill Hamilton.
In his acceptance speech, Professor Penetito acknowledged those gathered including
Dr. Turoa Royal, a long-time colleague and fellow educationalist who travelled from Auckland as part of a Ngāti Tamatērā delegation.
Ngāti Hauā Iwi Trust Chair, Mokoro Gillett said “Wally’s work in education has helped impact whānau, hapū and Iwi development across Aotearoa. His research alongside iwi-based researchers has supported whānau to exercise passion and integrity, when researching and writing their tīpuna histories.”
In a message, Te Huia Bill Hamilton, a Lead Advisor at the Iwi Chairs Forum, said that “During the transition to “Tomorrows Schools in the 1990s, Professor Penetito was one of the most influential people in making sure Maori were not forgotten in changes at policy and organisational levels. Trying to convince Principals that the changes provided the opportunity for them to make their schools better for Maori learners and their whānau”.
The citation included a comment from Dr Penetito’s mokopuna, Paretapu Waru, “Koro encourages people to familiarise themselves with the landmarks that surround them. Understanding the journey that the whenua has endured, and who has played a role in that journey gives people an understanding of their own connection to local knowledge and history of that whenua. It is about discovering their own responsibility to tūrangawaewae, whakapapa and kaitiakitanga.”
Today as he entered the Whare Pukenga standing shoulder to shoulder with the exhalted others who have given their lives to making the world a better place for our whanau, the Māori nation celebrates, the Emeritus Professor Wally Penetito.
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