Honorary degree for John Harmer

REMEMBERED: John Harmer of Te Arawa and Ngati Kahungunu will be remembered as a great Maori lecturer. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A Te Arawa lecturer received an honorary Bachelor of Arts majoring in Maori just before he passed away.

Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) Te Uranga Waka lecturer John Harmer died on Christmas Day. He had been ill for some time.

The 67-year-old had taught Maori language and customs at certificate level at the Hawkes Bay tertiary institution for more than 20 years.

The honorary degree was given at the end of year marae graduation and was only the second awarded by EIT. It marked the high regard in which Mr Harmer was held.

Making the presentation, former deputy chief executive Claire Hague said he was expert in te reo me nga tikanga Maori.

"He made a huge contribution to students and the community," she said.

Mr Harmer was proud to have two of his mokopuna graduate at the ceremony, Manuera Harmer with a Bachelor of Arts (Maori) and Huia Harmer with the Level 4 Certificate in Maori Studies.

Also of Ngati Kahungunu descent, Mr Harmer's life was celebrated at a tangi held on Kahuranaki marae in Te Hauke. His whanau included Karen, who was his partner for 40 years, 13 children, 57 mokopuna and 26 great mokopuna. John was formerly married to the late Marlane Duff.

Te Uranga Waka student Patricia Emia said she had grown very close to Mr Harmer since starting Level 2 studies at EIT.

"It's because of his guidance that I am studying the degree, something I never aspired to," the former early childhood teacher and social worker said.

Ms Emia said he was "the greatest teacher" and very gentle in imparting knowledge.

Formerly a shearer, Mr Harmer lost his job as a freezing worker at Tomoana with the closure of the plant. Moving to EIT, he was known to staff and students at the school of Maori studies as Hone, and Ms Emia said he was their matua or father figure.

He and Materoa Haenga, who resigned as senior lecturer and kuia of Te Uranga Waka and Te Whatukura late last year to take up a position with Hawke's Bay District Health Board, were "like a mama and papa," Ms Emia said.

"Now we have got to pick up the tone. It is up to us to uphold the mana."

Ms Haenga said Mr Harmer was a mentor to all the staff in the school.

"He was an eloquent speaker in English and Maori and could move fluently between the two."

Head of school Puti Nuku agreed with this assessment.

"He was good at explaining the nuances of language. He loved to talk, and because of his life experiences he could bring a fresh perspective to any discussion without being judgmental.

"Given his knowledge and skills, he would have flown through the degree with honours."