March 21, 2023
Community advice bureau founder Peter Harwood dies
Ōrakei Marae is today hosting the tangi for AUT emeritus professor Peter Harwood, who died on Friday, aged 83.
He is survived by his wife Haupuru and four children, including MĀori health leader Dr Matire Harwood.
Professor Harwood was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2008 for services to the community and Māori.
He established the first annual powhiri and noho marae events for AUT’s international students and was also behind the university’s move to offer free te reo elective papers across all programmes.
Nephew Julian Wilcox says he also established the first community advice bureau while working as Auckland City Council’s first community advisor in 1970.
“So there is some irony being pointed out in our speeches about the fact our uncle built them and the current mayor is looking to disestablish them through funding so that has been mentioned in dispatches form the taumata,” he says.
The funeral service for Peter Harwood is tomorrow at 11am at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Khyber Pass.
Haere e te Rangatira, haere, haere, haere atu raa