Sir Hirini Moko Mead

Distinguished Professor, Sir Hirini Moko Mead

Distinguished Professor, Sir Hirini Moko Mead is a prominent and influential educator, scholar, historian, author, artist, writer and Māori leader. His significant contribution to education, Māori arts, language and culture spans over seven decades. His authored works are cited by scholars worldwide and he is sought as a commentator on Māori and Indigenous matters.

In 1968 he earned his PhD from the University of Southern Illinois. His notable academic career includes teaching at various schools across the Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Waikato and Hawke’s Bay regions and in Canada at McMaster University and the University of British Columbia. In 1977 he became the first Professor of Māori at Victoria University of Wellington — developing the first Māori Studies department in New Zealand. Upon retirement he founded Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.

He has achieved many honours including holding positions, such as the inaugural Chair of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa; Chair of Te Mana Whakahaere o Awanuiārangi from 2003 to August 2020; appointment to the Waitangi Tribunal in 2003; chief negotiator for the Ngāti Awa claims, which were settled in March 2005; made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to Māori and to education in 2007 and in 2009 this was re-designated to a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit; the inaugural Chair of Te Pourewa Arotahi: Post-treaty Settlement Futures in 2010; a member of Te Toi Aparāngi in August 2020 and the inaugural Writer in Residence of Awanuiārangi from September 2020.

Advisor to Council: Distinguished Professor, Sir Hirini Moko Mead

Qualifications: KNZM, FRSNZ, PhD (Southern Illinois), MA (University of Auckland), BA

Iwi: Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāi Tūhoe, Tūhourangi