June 06, 2023
Parata honoured for cultural advocacy
Te Matatini is celebrating the knighthood awarded to its chair, Ngati Porou leader Selwyn Tanetoa Parata.
Chief executive Carl Ross says as chair of Te Matatini for the past 15 years Mr Parata has made a major contribution to kapa haka as an artform and as an expression of New Zealand’s cultural identity.
His nationwide iwi contacts, relationship with Ministers, government officials, business, community and kapa throughout the country has contributed significantly to the growth in the profile and broad support for Te Matatini, which received a major investment in Budget 2023 of $34 million over the next two years.
Maori Development Minister Willie Jackson says Mr Patata was also being acknowledged for his service at a trustee of Te Runanga o Ngāti Porou since 1987 and its chair since 2015, as well as his role in negotiating Treaty of Waitangi claims on behalf of his tribe.