New Chair and Commissioners for Maori Language Commission   2 Jul 2015

New Chair and Commissioners appointed to the Maori Language Commission

The Maori Development Minister is pleased to announce that Dr Wayne Ngata has been appointed as the new Toihau of the Maori Language Commission.

“Dr Ngata (Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Ngati Ira, Ngati Porou) has served as a Commissioner in the past alongside the previous Chair Erima Henare who passed away suddenly almost two months ago.

“I am pleased that he will build on Erima’s legacy and bring his extensive knowledge of te reo Maori and the education sector to this important role,” says Hon Te Ururoa Flavell.

Professor Rawinia Higgins and Charisma Rangipunga have also been appointed to Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori for three years. They are first-time commissioners on the Crown entity responsible for the promotion and development of Te Reo Maori.

"I’m thrilled that all three of these language experts have agreed to their appointments,” says Mr Flavell.

Minister Flavell said imminent changes proposed in the new Maori Language Bill will require strong leadership by the Board.

“The new appointees collectively possess an excellent combination of skills and experience to undertake the roles and responsibilities required for Te Taura Whiri te Reo Maori.”

The three appointees will join current members, Awanuiarangi Black and Hinurewa Poutu on the Board.

“I wish to thank Dr Poia Rewi, Dr Ruka Broughton and Dr Katarina Edmonds for their service and time on the Board. They have provided a solid base for the next board to build on,” says Mr Flavell.

Biographical Information

Dr Wayne Ngata (Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Ngati Ira, Ngati Porou)

Dr Ngata is committed to the education and the revitalisation of te reo Maori. He has broad involvement working in a number of senior advisory and management roles in education with a particular focus on Maori mediums and research.

He has held several governance positions from a range of boards and sectors, and possess a strong understanding of the role and function of Te Taura Whiri i te reo Maori, having been a board member for two terms, and a former acting Chief Executive in 2010.

Dr Ngata has significant knowledge, experience and networks which will support him to undertake the role of Toihau – Chair of the Board.

Professor Rawinia Higgins (Tuhoe)

Professor Higgins is a te reo Maori educationalist. She is the head of the School of Maori Students, and more recently the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Maori Research at Victoria University.

She has extensive governance experience including being a former member of the Working Party for Te Kohanga Reo National Trust. Currently she is the Chair of the Maori Language Advisory Group, a member of the Waitangi Tribunal and a board member of Te Mangai Paho.

Charisma Rangipunga (Kati Mamoe, Kai Tahu, Ngati Kahungunu, Taranaki, Nga Rauru, Ngati Ruanui)

Charisma is the General Manger of Te Taumatua at Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu. She has been heavily involved with the Ngai Tahu Maori language revitalisation strategy or the past 14 years. She is an author of te reo Maori books which has been dedicated to the revitalisation of te reo Maori.

She is also a current member of the Maori Language Advisory Group.

Kua Tohua te Toihau me nga Kaiwhiri hou o Te Taura Whiri I Te Reo Maori

E mihi ana Te Minita Whanaketanga Maori ki a Takuta Wayne Ngata mona i whakaae ki te kawe i te turanga o te Toihau o Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori.

“He kaiwhiri o mua a Takuta Ngata (no Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, no Ngati Ira, no Ngati Porou), otira, i mahitahi ia ki te Toihau o mua, ki a Erima Henare. I kapohia ake a Erima e te ringa kaha o aitua i tera rua marama.

Ma Takuta Ngata nga mahi a Erima e hapai ake, otira, he pukenga ano ona hei painga mo tenei turanga matua mai i ana mahi i te rangai reo Maori me te rangai matauranga.

Kua tohua hoki a Ahorangi Rawina Higgins raua ko Charisma Rangipunga hei kaiwhiri hou o Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori. E toru tau te roanga o tenei turanga. He hinonga Karauna Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori. Ko tana mahi he whakatairanga, he whakawhanake hoki i te reo Maori.

“E koa katoa ana au kua whakaae mai nga matanga reo nei ki enei turanga e toru,” te ki a te Minita.

Ki ta Minita Flavell, hei te putanga o nga whakahoutanga a te Pire Reo Maori hou me kaha te Poari ki te arahi i ana kaupapa.

“Kei nga mema hou nga pukenga me nga wheako e tika ana mo enei turanga me nga haepapatanga a Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori.”

Ka mahitahi te tokotoru hou ki nga kaiwhiri o te Poari, ara, ki a Awanuiarangi Black raua ko Hinurewa Poutu.

“E mihi ana au ki a Takuta Poia Rewi ratou ko Takuta Ruka Broughton, ko Takuta Katarina Edmonds i a ratau mahi i te Poari, na raua te tuapapa i whakatakoto.” te ki a Minita Flavell.

Nga Haurongo

Takuta Wayne Ngata (Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Ngati Ira, Ngati Porou)

E whakapau kaha ana a Takuta Ngata ki te matauranga me te whakarauoratanga o te reo Maori. Kua whai wahi atu a ia ki nga turanga matua i te ao matauranga, otira, ko te reo Maori me te rangahau tana aronga nui.

He maha ana turanga whakahaere i nga momo poari me nga rangai rereke, a, e marama ana ki a ia te kaupapa me te mahi a Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori. E rua nga wa kua tu ia hei kaiwhiri i te poari, waihoki, ko ia tonu te Tumuaki Whakakapi i te tau 2010.

He nui te matauranga, nga wheako me nga hononga o Takuta Ngata e tutuki pai ai i a ia te turanga a Te Toihau – Heamana o te Poari.

Ahorangi Rawinia Higgins (Tuhoe)

He pukenga whakaako reo Maori a Ahorangi Higgins. Ko ia te Tumuaki o Te Kawa a Maui ki Te Whare Wananga o te Upoko o te Ika a Maui. No natata nei i riro i a ia te turanga o te Iho Rangahau Maori.

He maha ana turanga whakahaere, ara, ko ia he mema o mua o tetahi ropu rangahau o te poari matua oTe Kohanga Reo. I tenei wa, ko ia te Heamana o Te Ripe Tohutohu Reo Maori, he mema o Te Ropu Whakamana i te Tiriti o Waitangi me te poari o Te Mangai Paho.

Charisma Rangipunga (Kati Mamoe, Kai Tahu, Ngati Kahungunu, Taranaki, Nga Rauru, Ngati Ruanui)

Ko Charisma te Kaiwhakahaere Matua o Te Taumatua ki Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu. Kua 14 tau a ia e whakapau kaha ana ki te rautaki whakarauora reo Maori a Ngai Tahu. He kaituhi pukapuka reo Maori hoki a ia, e hapai ana i te oranga o te reo Maori.

He mema hoki ia o Te Ropu Tohutohu Reo Maori.

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