Story: Māori Studies – ngā tari Māori

The eloquent and witty Maharaia Winiata (Ngāti Ranginui) was perhaps the first full-time tertiary teacher of Māori studies. A Methodist minister and teacher by training, in 1949 he was appointed tutor-organiser for Māori adult education. He worked especially with young Māori migrants to the cities, and set up classes and learning centres from Northland to Christchurch. He later became the first Māori to gain a doctorate overseas. His thesis in social anthropology was published posthumously in 1967 as The changing role of the leader in Maori society.