July 28, 2021
Solutions found in Whatarangi Winiata papers
A book collecting the thoughts of one of Māoridom’s most influential leaders is being launched today in Wellington.
The Survival of Māori As a People includes 25 papers written by Professor Whatarangi Winiata and co-authors over the fast 40 years on topics like Māori spirituality, social development, education and political affairs.
The Ngāti Raukawa rangatira’s efforts to restructure the Hāhi Mihinare, drive iwi development, set up the first contemporary whare wānanga, work through the New Zealand Māori Council on claims to fisheries, forestry, language and broadcasting, and his role in setting up the Māori Party are all covered.
Editor Daphne Luke says while there have been changes over the 40 years in things like the way government agencies will now speak Māori, many of the big issues are yet to be resolved.
"One of the things when we were writing the book, it took so long because every time we read one of those papers and we were dealing with an issue like Māori housing, we would sit there and try to find solutions all over again and we had to stop ourselves doing that and focus on the book otherwise it was never going to be finished," she says.
The Survival of Māori As a People is published by Huia.
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