Te Aute Leaders 1st XV

Embargoed to 7pm

October 14, 2009,

Knights of the realm, war heroes and doctors among those honoured in Te Aute Leaders 1st XV

Knights of the realm, war heroes, professors, doctors, former All Blacks, iwi leaders, entertainers and artists were named in the Te Aute leaders 1St XV at a celebratory dinner at Te Papa Museum in Wellington tonight(14.10.09).

Maori King Tuheitia Paki inducted the first fifteen leaders into a hall of honour and presented them their awards at the black tie event attended by 250 people.

Te Aute College Board of Trustees Chairman John Tangaere said it was important to acknowledge the past and present leaders and set a bench mark for the future.

“Te Aute College has been instrumental in shaping some of Maoridom’s finest leaders and it is fitting that we acknowledge those who are still with us. This celebration of leadership is about repositioning Te Aute College in the minds of iwi Maori as a place to educate their sons as future leaders.”

The event was intended to honour old boys who are alive, but the conveners agreed Sir Howard Morrison should continue to be included in the inaugural XV as he had agreed to attend before his passing on September 24.

“Sir Howard Morrison is an exception to the rule and one of the college’s most famous old boys. We discussed his inclusion with some of the other recipients who wouldn’t accept their nomination without Sir Howard being honoured.”

The conveners plan to hold the event every five years in perpetuity

The Te Aute leaders 1st XV 2009 are: Sandy Adsett, Sir Edward Durie, Professor Mason Durie, Rowley Habib, Dr Apirana Mahuika, Sir Hirini Moko Mead, Sir Howard Morrison, Sir Henare Ngata, Joseph Northover, Stanley Pardoe, Professor Piri Sciascia, Dr Pita Sharples, Major George Skudder, Bishop William Turei, Major John Waititi.

Te Aute 1st XV leaders biographies in alphabetical order.

1, Sandy Adsett:

Sandy is a leading contemporary Maori artist of Ngati Pahauwera and Ngati Kahungunu descent. Sandy joined a movement in the late 1950s and 1960s to introduce Maori culture into schools and worked in art education as a specialist arts and crafts adviser. He was one of three principal art tutors at Toihoukura, the School of Maori Visual Arts in Gisborne, before establishing Toimairangi, a new school of Contemporary Maori Visual Arts with Te Wananga o Aotearoa in Hastings .

2, Sir Edward Durie

Sir Edward Durie became a member of the judiciary in 1974 when he was appointed as a judge of the Māori Land Court .  Aged 34, Durie was the youngest judicial appointment to the Māori Land Court .  He was appointed Chief Judge of the Court from 1980.   He served as the Chairman of the Waitangi Tribunal until 2002.  Again, making history, Sir Edward was the first Māori to be appointed to the High Court. In the 2008 New Year's Honours list, he was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.  

3, Professor Mason Durie

Professor Mason Durie has transformed health services in New Zealand over the past 30 years and has paved the way for the introduction of Maori health perspectives into treatment and care.  Mason of Rangitane, Ngati Kauwhata and Ngati Raukawa iwi was appointed Director of Psychiatry at Palmerston North Hospital in 1976.  It was there that he took a major role in developing Family Therapy as part of a community mental health programme.  From 1986 to 1988 he was the Commissioner on the Royal Commission on Social Policy and in 1988 he was appointed to the Chair in Maori Studies at Massey University .  He is currently Professor of Maori Research and Development and Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Maori & Pasifika).  He is also Deputy Chair of Te Wananga o Raukawa.

4, Rowley Habib

Rowley Habib is one of New Zealand ’s most accomplished writers with works published in New Zealand and overseas. In 1967 he formed his own theatre company, 'Te Ika A Maui Players', which performed his play 'Death Of The Land' in marae and community halls around the country for three years. He also produced plays for stage, television and radio, as well as documentaries.  He’s won several awards including the Maori Affairs Writers Award (1975), the Feltex Award for Best TV Script (1982) and was a recipient of the Katherine Mansfield Fellowship (1984).  

5, Dr Apirana Mahuika

Dr Apirana Mahuika is the chair of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Porou, a seat he has held since the tribal authority was set up in 1987. Apirana carries that mana into the various roles he holds, as an Anglican minister of the Church, as the chair of Gisborne’s Tairāwhiti Museum and Te Rōpu Manukura, an iwi group that promotes higher education with Waikato University ; and as a recipient of the 1990 Commemorative Medal and the NZ Historic Places Trust Heritage Award.

6, Sir Hirini Moko Mead

To say that Sir Hirini Moko Mead has had a lot to do with advancing the opportunities of Maori at University is an understatement.  In 1978 he created the first department of Maori studies in New Zealand .  Sir Hirini was responsible for building the first university-based Marae on a mainstream campus and was founding Professor of Maori studies at Victoria University . He established tribal university, Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi, at Whakatane.  Sir Hirini is of Ngati Awa, Tuwharetoa and Tuhorangi iwi descendant. He has countless publications.  He has written books, published articles and authored short stories.  In 2002 he (along with co-author Neil Grove) became the recipient of New Zealand ’s most prestigious book awards, the Montana NZ Book awards.  Committed to Ngati Awa, Sir Hirini has been the chief negotiator for Ngati Awa’s Treaty claims.  He has served as Chairman of the Ngati Awa Trust Board and remains active in the affairs of Ngati Awa... 

7, Sir Howard Morrison

Sir Howard Morison couldn’t match his Maori All Black father’s prowess on the rugby field -  but that didn’t stop him from going on to be one of New Zealand ’s greatest icons. Reminiscing about his years at Te Aute College, Sir Howard says he couldn’t make the College’s 1st XV or  2nd XV. However, the son of Maori All Black Tem Morrison told Maori Television in an interview profiling his life that he later earned a trial for the Hawke’s Bay Rugby team when he had a little more meat on his bones. “I played in the trial and I thought I did pretty well…my father came in to the changing rooms afterwards and said ‘you did pretty well, but you’re a better singer,’ Sir Howard said. “Well, it broke it my heart!” Sir Howard, 74, passed away at his home in Ohinemutu, Rotorua on September 24. However, he had previously accepted the nomination to be inducted into the Te Aute 1st XV leaders 2009. Prime Minister John Key said Sir Howard had been at the forefront of New Zealand music for more than 50 years and his contribution was immense. "Sir Howard was a New Zealand success story. From humble beginnings he became an international success, first with the Howard Morrison Quartet, and then in an illustrious solo career," Mr Key said."But more than that, Sir Howard was one of New Zealand 's best loved entertainers, his appeal spanning every age group.”

8, Sir Henare Ngata

Sir Henare Ngata is the youngest son of Sir Apirana Ngata and Lady Arihia Ngata of Ngati Porou. Sir Henare attended Te Aute from 1931 to 1933 and went to Victoria University to study law at the outbreak of War, Sir Henare enlisted for the Maori Battalion. He rose to the rank of Captain, but was a prisoner of war for four years in various German war camps. After war, Sir Henare returned to Victoria University , and in May 1948, he graduated with a double degree, a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Commerce. At the graduation ceremony, his father was conferred with an honorary Doctorate of Literature. Sir Henare returned to Gisborne in 1948, and a burgeoning career would follow in accountancy, leading to the chairmanship of many incorporations across the East Coast including the extremely successful Mangatu Incorporation, and the chairmanship of committees responsible for three royal tours. In 1981, Sir Henare was knighted for Services to Maoridom and the community. He still resides in Gisborne.

9, Rev Joseph Tuahine Northover

Joe Northover pays homage to Te Aute College by describing Te Aute as “the inspiration to my aspirations”.  Of Ngati Porou, Ngati Hine and Ngati Kahungunu affiliation, he trained with the Royal New Zealand Air Force for two years. However, he was pressed by his elders to re-establish his links with the Ringatu faith of his ancestors. Joe has since served on a range of organisations including the Eastern Institute of Technology, the Eastern Police Regional District, Legal Services Hawke’s Bay and the Matai Manatu Trust.  He has been a member of the board of directors for the Aotea Forestry Training Trust, the Hastings and Guilin Sister Cities and Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporation.   Joe’s ‘contribution to the community’ was recognised in 2004 when he was honoured by a citation on the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. In 2008 Joe was appointed to the Waitangi Tribunal for a three year term. 

10, Stan Pardoe

Thousands of boys have passed through the hallowed halls of Te Aute College – but none have battled as hard and as long as Stan Pardoe to keep the doors open. Stan has been the Chairman of the Te Aute College Trust Board of Trustees since 1985 and has been one of the key negotiators with the Crown in battling to secure funding and improve facilities and courses at Te Aute and sister college Hukarere. Stan is also Chairman of his East Coast based  Rongowhaakata Trust.  His commitment to Te Runanga o Turanganui a Kiwa has spanned 27 years, including as an original trustee and previous chairman.  He is currently Deputy Chair.  A major focus of his Iwi currently is completing their land claims. His farming interest cemented by the agricultural training at Te Aute continue.  He farmed for 30 years, is Chairman of Pohaturoa Farm Trust, on the committee of Tapere Incorporation and Pakarae Committee as well as a Director of Pakarae/Whangara B5 Farming Partnership, which this year won the coveted Ahuwhenua Maori Farmer of the Year award.  His past interests have included serving on boards of other farming incorporations and fishing entities including Moana Pacific.

11, Professor Piri Sciasica

Professor Piri Sciascia is acknowledged as one who has strived for and attained a pinnacle of excellence with regard to knowledge of Maori performing arts. Professor Sciascia provides  strategic advice to Victoria University ’s Vice-Chancellor and the Senior Management Team.  Of Ngati Kahungunu and  Kai Tahu descent. ln 2000, he was an adviser to the Chief Executive of Te Puni Kokiri.  He has also been Assistant Director-General of the Department of Conservation, Assistant Director of the QEII Arts Council and director of the Māori and South Pacific Arts Council.  He holds a commemorative medal for service to the arts. A graduate of Victoria and Otago Universities , Professor Sciascia became Victoria University ’s first Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Māori), Te Toiahurei in July 2000, and was appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor (Māori) in May 2003...

12, Hon Dr Pita Sharples

Co-leader of the Maori Party Dr Pita Sharples is only the second Minister of Maori Affairs to come from Te Aute College, after Sir Apirana  Elected to Parliament in 2005 as the Member of Parliament for Tamaki Makaurau, he is a Minister outside Cabinet in the National-led Government.

Dr Sharples of Ngati Kahungunu descent has a doctorate in Anthropology/Linguistics and was formerly a Professor of Education at the University of Auckland .

Pita’s lifelong passion has centered around Hoani Waititi Marae, one of Aotearoa’s first inter-tribal Marae for urban Maori, which he was instrumental in building. As well as pioneering the development of kohanga reo throughout New Zealand , he founded the first kura kaupapa Maori at Hoani Waititi Marae in 1985 and later developed the first Whare Kura (secondary school) for graduates of kura kaupapa.

He pioneered the development of the Race Relations office in NZ and was appointed the inaugural Chief Executive Officer from 1972-1980. In 1990 he was awarded the great honour of a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday list of honours for his services to Maori and has been recognised for his involvement in a great number of initiatives aimed at Maori development, including being the cultural advisor to the various NZ Police Commissioners over the past 30 years.

13, Major George Rupuha Skudder

When George Skudder first ran onto the field as an All Black in 1969, he says his education at Te Aute played a crucial role in his sporting success.

“I was taught the discipline to succeed at Te Aute,” says George. “And when I played my first test (as wing) against the Welsh I couldn’t believe I was playing with legends like lock Colin Meads and fullback Fergie McCormack.”

His pride in his Maori heritage made George forfeit his position with the All Blacks in 1970, as a protest at the South African government’s decision to treat Maori in the team, and Maori spectators, as 'honorary whites'...

“I had a year of penance and got back in for the ‘72 tour of the British Isles and France .”

14, Bishop William Brown Turei

Bishop William Brown Turei has dedicated his life to the Church and the community. Bishop Turei who attended Te Aute from 1939 to 1943 joined the C Company of the Maori Battalion aged 19.  After the war he attended St John’s College , Auckland .  He was ordained a priest in 1950. A long-standing commitment to the Church has seen Bishop Turei serve in parishes and pastorates in places including Tauranga, Whangara, Te Puke, Whakatane, Manutuke, Christchurch and Waipatu.  1982 marked his appointment as Archdeacon of Tairawhiti.  He served as the Chaplain of Hukarere Girls before going on to serve as the Chaplain of Napier Prison. Turei continued to ascend the church hierarchy and was elected to Te Pihopa Ki Te Tai Rawhiti in 1992.  In February 2006 he was elected to succeed Whakahuihui Vercoe as Pihopa o Aotearoa.  On the 11th of May 2006 he was appointed co-presiding Bishop of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa and Polynesia .

15, Major Hone Hikitia Te Rangi Waititi

There was only one school for 28th Maori Battalion veteran Hone Waititi – Te Aute College. But getting into the Maori boys boarding school in the 1930’s wasn’t an easy task. All students had to pass a proficiency exam to gain entry into secondary school and families had to provide at least two years boarding fees. “I was just as surprised as my family when news came that I had passed.  I can still remember my father telling the rest of the whanau there's only one school for my son, Te Aute College!," Major John recalls. “It was 1934 and my fate was sealed for the next four years!” Major John joined the 10th reinforcement to Egypt in 1943 and also served in Italy and was involved in the Battle of Casino. He enlisted with the rank of Second Lieutenant and rose to the rank of Major and is the only surviving commander of 28th Maori Battalion. When World War II broke out, he managed to persuade family members to run his farm while he went to fight. Wounded three times during the advance through Italy , he was given the option of returning home. "I decided to stay with my boys."

ENDS

For more information contact:

Te Aute Leaders 1st XV Convenor

Te Anga Nathan

teanga.nathan@gmail.com

021-325-701

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What is the Te Aute 1st XV Leaders 2009 initiative?

Since 1854 Te Aute College has been recognised as one of the great Maori academies of success. A number of the school’s alumni have gone on to distinguished careers that have benefitted Maoridom greatly. This initiative will pay homage to those who are considered to be leaders of their respective fields. However, most importantly, the initiative will recognise those old boys that are still living. It is a way of giving due recognition from the school to its famous old boys, on behalf of Maoridom.

Who will make up the Te Aute College 1st XV Leaders group for 2009?

The 15 leaders had to be leaders in a respective field. They had to have been recognised as contributing greatly to Maoridom. They must be old boys of Te Aute College and they are all over the age of 55 years. They consist of knights of the realm, war heroes, professors, doctors, All Blacks, iwi leaders, entertainers and artists.

Who selected the Te Aute College 1st XV Leaders for 2009?

A rigid process was established to select the 1st XV. A selection panel was set up to accept nominations for selection. This panel consisted of Te Aute old boys of different generations. All names that were nominated were whittled down to just 15 names using a thorough selection process. The final 1st XV was decided by former Te Aute College principal Te Aorere Riddell, current Te Aute Board of Trustees chairman John Tangaere and kaumatua Eric Niania.

 
Jon Stokes
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