Ranginui Walker

Ranginui Walker
DCNZM
Born Ranginui Joseph Isaac Walker
(1932-03-01)1 March 1932
Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Died 28 February 2016(2016-02-28) (aged 83)
Auckland, New Zealand
Nationality New Zealand
Alma mater University of Auckland
Notable awards Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement

Ranginui Joseph Isaac Walker, DCNZM (1 March 1932 – 28 February 2016) of Māori and Lebanese descent,[1] was an academic and writer living in New Zealand.

Early life

Walker was born in 1932 into a farming family. He was a member of the Whakatōhea tribe of Opotiki in the Bay of Plenty.[2]

He was educated at St Peter's Maori College, Auckland, Auckland Teachers' Training College and the University of Auckland. He was a primary school teacher for 10 years.[2]

Career and activism

Walker was a member of Māori activist group Ngā Tamatoa.

Walker was secretary of the Auckland District Māori Council from 1969 to 1973 and chairman from 1974 to 1990.[2]

He eventually become the Professor and Head of Māori Studies at the University of Auckland.[3]

In 2003 Walker became a member of the Waitangi Tribunal.[4]

Awards and honours

In 2009 he received a Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement[5]

Prime Minister John Key said Walker was "not only an insightful commentator on important historical and contemporary issues, but was a tireless and passionate advocate for Maori".[2]

Books

Walker published a number of books, including:

Notes

Sources

  • Margie Thomson, "Bridging the Gap", Dominion Post, 9 May 2009, "Your Weekend", p. 10.
  • Paul Spoonley, Mata Toa: The Life and Times of Ranginui Walker, Penguin, Auckland 2009.
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