Maharaia Winiata: honoured at partnership opening

4 February 2010 -
The unveiling of a new building at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic's Windermere Campus provides a physical manifestation of an historical partnership between the University of Waikato and Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.

The new building, named after prominent historical figure Dr Maharaia Winiata, is to be unveiled by the Māori King, King Tuheitia, on Thursday 11 February. With guests from around the country, the event not only cements the tertiary partnership but also marks another step in strengthening Māori education within both institutions.

The importance of choosing the right name for any building of significance cannot be underestimated. For both the University of Waikato and Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, it was no easy task to find a name which would encapsulate the entity of the unique partnership.

The name had to reflect the shared driver of the organisations, quality higher education for all, but also had to bridge the physical gap between the Waikato and Tauranga regions.

Dr Winiata embodies a person who encapsulates both the historical and contemporary strands of the partnership. He worked tirelessly as an advocate for Māori welfare throughout New Zealand. His work with Māori in the Waikato region saw him form lasting bonds with the Kīngitanga movement, including taking up a position on the Māori King’s Council.

Nurtured in the Tauranga suburb of Judea, Dr Winiata graduated with a Master of Arts from the then Auckland University College, and went on to complete a Diploma of Education. He was accepted as a candidate for the ministry at the Methodist Theological College, where he studied for three years, concurrently with his university work. He was the first Māori to study the full academic course for the ministry.

In 1949 he was appointed the inaugural Māori Adult Education Officer, an aim of which was to diminish M?ori delinquency by restoring racial pride through the study of traditional culture. Three years later Dr Winiata was awarded a prestigious Nuffield Scholarship which enabled him to study at Edinburgh University. Gaining a Doctorate of Philosophy, Dr Winiata was the first Māori to gain a doctorate from any overseas institution.

His passion for education and bettering the lives of Māori was a lifelong commitment; his aim was the education of Māori as a whole and he devoted most of his short life to that end. His untimely death in April 1960 at the age of only 47 was a great shock and loss for the whole of New Zealand.

Dr Winiata's tangi was a large occasion with hundreds in attendance, including representatives from many marae, including the then Māori King, King Koroki, as well as a large number of crown ministers and local mayors, past and present of that time. Associate Minister for Māori Affairs, the Hon. Eruera Tirikatene spoke at the tangi, applauding Dr Winiata's efforts for Māoridom. "He was fearless in expounding the Māori view point, and his life was an example for all young people to follow."

Distinguished Ranginui kaumatua, Charles Piahana, also spoke eloquently of Dr Winiata at the tangi. "Today we grieve for a man that we thought would be a leading star of his people. But this was not to be. The totara tree of the great forest has fallen. The man has departed and has taken all the annals of history with him."

This inspirational New Zealander embodies everything the partnership seeks to address for the next millennium. Offering quality higher education to all New Zealanders, no matter the colour of their skin; being leaders in community education and motivating both the modern learner and our future generations.

Ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Dr Maharaia Winiata, 1912 — 1960.