Dr Pardoe is a former chair of Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust and led the Waitangi claims for the Rongowhakaata iwi.
He also chaired Te Aute College board of trustees.
He is a former farmer and contractor who represented several farming entities, was a director of Moana fisheries and a delegate for the shearing industry.
When told of the doctorate a week before the graduation on March 31, Dr Pardoe rushed to get organised and called all his whānau to share the news.
Wife Molly Pardoe MNZM was as surprised as he was.
“He walked in with a ghastly look on his face. I asked what was wrong and then he told me the news. It was a surprise for sure.”
Dr Pardoe was accompanied by whānau from Tairāwhiti and got another pleasant surprise while eating fish and chips in his hotel room the night before the ceremony when his sister from Australia walked through the door.
“The graduation itself was a great event,” he said. “The organisation was fantastic and the hospitality was great. We were well looked after.”
Former Māori Party co-leader Dame Tāriana Turia and te reo Māori advocate Te Riaki Amoamo received honorary doctorates as well.
Tairāwhiti kaumatua Stan Pardoe has received an honorary doctorate from Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi for his contributions to Mātauranga Māori — an honour that humbled and surprised the 80-year-old.