In 2025, Māori achievement and cultural legacy reached a remarkable milestone – one that connects our past with the promise of our future.
This year, Mākereti (Maggie) Papakura, believed to be the first indigenous woman to study at the University of Oxford, was formally honoured by the prestigious institution with a posthumous Master of Philosophy degree – nearly 100 years after she first enrolled.
Born in Matatā in 1873, Mākereti travelled to Oxford in 1927 and conducted groundbreaking research into the customs and worldviews of her Te Arawa people. Her work broke conventions at a time when few women – and even fewer indigenous scholars – were recognised in academia.
Tragically, she passed away in 1930 just weeks before presenting her thesis. Her research was later published with the support of colleagues and her whānau, becoming the first ethnographic study authored by a Māori person.
In September 2025, Oxford University acknowledged her extraordinary contribution by awarding her degree in a special ceremony attended by whānau and Māori representatives. The recognition celebrates not only Mākereti’s pioneering spirit but also the enduring importance of Māori stories, knowledge and presence on the global stage.
Her legacy continues to inspire a new generation of Māori scholars. University of Waikato student Naianga Tapiata, recently named a Rhodes Scholar, credits Mākereti’s story with expanding his sense of possibility – showing that Māori can belong, contribute and lead even in institutions with histories rooted in colonialism.
Naianga will begin his Master of Philosophy in Social Anthropology at Oxford in 2026, becoming the first kura kaupapa Māori graduate to receive a Rhodes Scholarship. He has spoken about how seeing Mākereti’s journey rekindled the belief that he, too, could study at such a world‑renowned institution.
This moment – bridging Māori history with contemporary achievement – reminds us of the strength held in our stories, our education, and the paths forged by those who came before us. Māori are not just participants in global conversations – we are influences, storytellers, and knowledge holders with contributions that shape the world.
