Tā Hirini Moko Mead Receives Te Whare Pukenga Award

Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi congratulates founding member, Tā Hirini Moko Mead, who was honoured with the Te Whare Pukenga Award.

This award acknowledges living Rangatira throughout Aotearoa who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and contributions to Te Ao Māori. 

He received the award in Whakatane on Friday 16 February, at Te Mānuka Tūtahi Marae, surrounded by his whānau. His nomination for the award came in August 2023 from Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa and was further endorsed by the National Iwi Chairs Forum in November 2023 before being presented to him. 

Established by the Iwi Chairs Forum in 2021, Te Whare Pukenga acknowledges individuals who have made significant contributions to the revitalisation and preservation of taonga (cultural treasures) and values that safeguard Te Ao Māori while enriching the lives of all whānau across Aotearoa. 

Throughout his distinguished career, Tā Hirini, an esteemed anthropologist and historian, has given a lifetime commitment to Māori. His remarkable achievements span authoring over 70 books, papers, and articles, serving as a foundational professor of Māori Studies at Victoria University, and the establishment of Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi. In recognition of his invaluable contributions to Māori culture and education, he was honoured as a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand order of Merit in 2007, an accolade elevated to knighthood in 2009.  

Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi acknowledges the remarkable contributions of Tā Hirini to Te Ao Māori and honours the enduring impact of his legacy expressing an extended heartfelt congratulations to Tā Hirini and his whānau for yet another remarkable achievement.