By Tini Molyneux of te ao
He is a cultural authority on whaikōrero whakapapa and karakia, a Māori academic, a professor of te reo, tikanga at Waikato University, and both a student and a tutor at Victoria University of Wellington as well as Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.
Today Sir William Te Rangiua "Pou" Temara accepted his knighthood despite challenging the monarchy system throughout his career.
Raised by his grandparents in a Tūhoe environment where te reo was the first language, Temara went on to become a recognised authority in the Māori language, Māori customary practices and Māori performing arts.
He is the chair of Te Hui Ahurei, a legacy of whanaungatanga his father and his generation can be proud of, because it's the oldest iwi festival, and every two years it brings descendants together to celebrate their Tūhoetanga.
