Professor Sciascia (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa and Kāi Tahu) died on Saturday 18 January, aged 73. He worked at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington for 16 years from 2000, and after his retirement in 2016 he continued to be the Ruanuku for Te Herenga Waka marae and played a significant role at the Marae Graduation ceremonies.
He was the kaumātua and advisor to the Governor General, and was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to Maori arts in 2013.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern acknowledged his death in a statement, saying he was “steeped in mana”.
“He was a true gentleman who guided me in my role as Prime Minister. I was honoured to have him as an advisor and am grateful for all he has taught me,” she said.
“Over the coming days many will talk about his achievements in education, performing arts as a composer and performer, his public service and the privotal roles he played in many Treaty Settlements.”
“Piri said ‘he toi whakairo, he mana tangata’. Where there is artistic excellence, there is human dignity. There is no better quote to describe him and his contribution to Aotearoa.”
Minister of Māori Development Nanaia Mahuta praised Professor Sciascia as “a great believer in Māori realising their potential” and someone who was fearless when advocating for Māori issues.
“He was an iconic kaumātua and his passion for the arts, kapa haka were natural talents from his Kahungunu and Kāi Tahu lineage, he follows on from many great of leaders from that region.
“His sage words of wisdom and his practical and aspirational advice will be sorely missed throughout te ao Māori, I will miss seeing him around dearly,” Minister Mahuta said.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Grant Guilford says the University has lost an inspirational leader and committed friend. "Piri’s kindness to all those he encountered, his skill in fostering the University’s commitment to Te Tiriti, and his faith in the positive impacts for Māori of the arts and a university education were inspiring. He will be sorely missed.”
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Māori) Professor Rawinia Higgins says Professor Sciascia leaves a huge legacy at the University, in particular in regard to his advocacy for Māori language and culture.
Professor Higgins says he was deeply involved in the arts, including as a driving force behind the Te Māori exhibition in the 1980s, as a leader and performer in kapa haka on the national and international stage and a composer of waiata. She says he had the ability to talk to anyone.
Professor Sciascia grew up in Pōrangahau in southern Hawkes Bay and attended the University of Otago. He worked at the Department of Conservation on Treaty of Waitangi negotiations and also had roles with the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council and the Māori and South Pacific Arts Council.
At the University he was the first person to hold the role of Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Māori), becoming Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Māori) in 2003 and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Māori) in 2014.
Nō reira, e te rangatira, e Piri, ko tō Whānau o Te Herenga Waka tēnei te mapu nei, te haku nei.