Announcing the appointment of Emeritus Professor Wally Penetito
Wally Penetito has been appointed as Emeritus Professor in Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington’s Faculty of Education.
“For many years he has offered a vision not only for our Faculty but for New Zealand.”
Emeritus Professor Penetito completed his PhD at the University, graduating in 2006. He was subsequently appointed as the University’s first Professor of Māori Education in 2009. As well as serving as Professor of Māori Education for many years, he also worked as co-director of He Pārekereke: Institute for Research and Development in Māori and Pacific Education.
“We’re all delighted that Wally has been recognised as Emeritus Professor. He was the first Professor of Māori Education at Victoria University of Wellington although his association with the University goes back much further. He’s been a mentor, teacher, intellectual leader, advocate for social justice and a friend,” says Professor Joanna Kidman, current Professor of Māori Education.
Emeritus Professor Penetito has had an extensive and varied career in education. He has worked as a teacher, an adviser to schools, a senior government public servant, a researcher, and a lecturer. He has also served on the Teacher Registration Board. Throughout his academic career he was a tireless advocate for Māori and Pacific educational advancement and in his retirement he continues to work with tribal and government authorities to secure just and equitable outcomes for Māori at all levels of education.
Emeritus Professor Penetito is currently an Honorary Fellow of the New Zealand Education Institute, and in 2005 he was presented with the Te Tohu Pae Tawhiti Award from the New Zealand Association for Research in Education for outstanding Māori researcher of the year. In 2023 he also received the Te Whare Pūkenga Award for significantly impacting the lives of Māori across Aotearoa.
“Wally had a decisive role in shaping Māori education as an academic field of study, and he’s made significant contributions to education policy over the years but his greatest joy was always his students. He’s a born raconteur and even now former students will tell stories he told in their classes,” Professor Kidman says.
The University has also created two prizes in education in Emeritus Professor Penetito’s name. The Wally Penetito Prizes in Education are designed to celebrate Wally’s commitment to supporting Māori and Pasifika students. The prizes will be offered to Māori and Pasifika students studying either Education or Educational Psychology.
The University’s Development Office is currently seeking donations for the prize, with the aim of raising $20,000. For more information, please contact development-office@vuw.ac.nz.