Sir William Te Rangiua Temara (Tūhoe)—known as Sir Pou Temara—and Te Ripowai Pauline Higgins (Tūhoe), were presented their honorary doctorates by Chancellor John Allen, at an opening ceremony for Ngā Mokopuna on 6 December.
Sir Pou began his academic career at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in 1986, and was tohunga for Te Herenga Waka marae, alongside Te Ripowai as ruahine. Together they ensured the marae’s cultural integrity as an authentic learning space for mātauranga Māori.
The contribution of Sir Pou Temara
Sir Pou is celebrated for his mastery of te reo and his leadership in the revival of the Māori language and mātauranga Māori. He is currently a Professor of Māori Philosophy at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.
Sir Pou was part of the ground-breaking Māori language television series, Kōrero Mai. Established in 1983, this has been a foundational educational programme supporting generations of Māori language learners. He is also a former director of Te Panekiretanga o te reo Māori, the Institute of Excellence in the Māori language. His students, who include Te Herenga Waka academics and alumni, are considered some of the pre-eminent exponents of te reo Māori and karakia today.
Sir Pou was appointed to the Waitangi Tribunal in 2008 and is recognised for guiding proceedings in appropriate tikanga. He is currently the chair of the Repatriation Advisory Panel at Te Papa Tongarewa, and sits on the Māori Queenʻs advisory council, Te Tekau-mā-rua. He has served as cultural advisor to the Māori Land Court and New Zealand Defence Force, and has been the lead adjudicator for Te Matatini, the largest Māori performing arts festival in the world. He is presently leading a programme at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi to train judges from different tiers of the judiciary in tikanga Māori.
“Receiving this recognition, alongside my tuahine Te Ripowai, on the day of the opening of the new marae complex is very special, particularly as we spent many years working here together,” said Sir Pou.
The contribution of Te Ripowai Higgins
Te Ripowai began her career at Te Herenga Waka in 1989, first lecturing in social work, before moving to Te Kawa a Māui. Soon after starting, her skill in te reo Māori and extensive knowledge of tikanga and te ao Māori saw her take up the role of ruahine, female cultural leader, and eventually taurima, marae manager, of Te Herenga Waka marae. She held the role of ruahine until 2016, when she retired after 27 years of service to the University.
Te Ripowai nurtured a Māori academic environment at Te Herenga Waka, instilling the principles and practices of antecedents as guidelines for economic, social, cultural, and spiritual wellbeing. She mentored numerous staff in the breadth of mātauranga Māori and its potential contributions to their fields of study.
An early supporter of Te Petihana Reo Māori in 1972, she was also at the forefront of developing Te Ataarangi, a national community-based programme for adult Māori language learning. It is still celebrated as one of the most effective Māori language learning methodologies for te reo Māori speakers.
Te Ripowai’s reputation and experience has meant that she has served on many committees and boards, providing te reo and tikanga advice to Te Aka Matua, the Law Commission’s Māori Liaison Committee and serving on the board of Te Māngai Pāho, the Māori Broadcasting Funding Agency. She was a foundation board member of Te Ipukarea, the National Māori Language Institute, and was instrumental in the establishment and ongoing success of Te Ūpoko o te Ika, the first Māori radio station.
Te Ripowai said, “Growing up on our respective marae emphasised the value of a rich cultural environment and the significance of sharing and preserving those traditions at Te Herenga Waka. Receiving this prestigious honour at the new marae complex alongside my tungane Pou, is very humbling.”
Sir Pou and Te Ripowai exemplify their respective roles of tohunga and ruahine through their years of leadership and service. Their contributions to the University and the many students and staff are a testament to their integrity and determination to uphold te reo and tikanga Māori across many generations.
Chancellor, John Allen said, “The University is proud to recognise these two distinguished kaumātua with Honorary Doctorates for their years of service to Te Herenga Waka and for their extensive contributions to te reo and mātauranga Māori.”