Honoured for services to Maori, education

Dr Wayne Ngata receives his New Year honour for services to Maori and education from New Zealand Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy in Wellington yesterday. Picture supplied

Dr Wayne Ngata receives his New Year honour from New Zealand Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy in Wellington yesterday.

He was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Maori and education. Dr Ngata is of Ngati Ira, Ngati Porou and Te Aitanga a Hauiti descent, and lives at Uawa/Tolaga Bay.

He is active in the revitalisation of te reo Maori and education models underpinned by Maori processes, and is also a specialist in Maori literature and a long-time advocate for Maori art. Dr Ngata is a board member of the Tertiary Education Commission, and chair of Te Taumata Aronui.