Maharaia Winiata, by Lyn Harpham

SummaryMAHARAIA WINIATA
Lyn Harpham

His lineage traced back to the seven major canoes and Maharaia Winiata’s ancestors were tohunga and orators. He was born in 1912.

Living at Judea, his schooling began at Ōtūmoetai when he was seven and could speak no English. At Tauranga District High School he excelled in athletics and rugby; became head prefect; matriculated and gained a University Scholarship.

During the economic depression he was unable to take up the scholarship until 1935 when he went to Auckland to enter a more European world, but not before his father thoughtfully arranged for an old friend, Mrs C. A. Crabbe, to coach him in Pākehā custom and etiquette.

While taking university subjects, Maharaia was also a full-time student at Trinity Methodist Theological College where his activities included being College Librarian. During further study at Auckland Teachers College, he became president of the Students Association.

With an MA degree, he spent several years as First Assistant Master at Wesley College, Paerātā, until following an approach from Auckland University, Maharaia undertook to organise Māori Adult Education throughout New Zealand — to assist people who had not had the opportunity for early education.

This work led to his being awarded a Nuffield Travelling Scholarship which saw him obtain his doctorate in Anthropology at Edinburgh University — the first full Māori to gain an overseas PhD.

He came back to New Zealand with a theme of “Symbiosis” — two peoples living together, each developing in their own way to the benefit of both. Maharaia lectured at the University and was Secretary of the Council of Advisers to King Koroki. In addition he led a busy life writing, studying law and travelling to promote Māori education and more input of Māori culture and language in schools.

On an April day in 1960 he suddenly took ill and died in Tauranga Hospital, aged forty-eight.SourcesA typed story in the former Vertical Files at Tauranga Library

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Kaitiakitanga StatementWe ask that, in addition to normal copyright and privacy considerations, users of our heritage resources uphold the mana and dignity of the people, communities and places depicted within.CopyrightTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City LibrariesLicenseCC BY 4.0AcknowledgementTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries, Maharaia Winiata, by Lyn Harpham

Relates To

PeopleHarpham, Rosa Lynette (née Christian), 1919–2011 (Person)Winiata Piahana, Maharaia, 1912–1960 (Person)

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AuthorLyn HarphamType of ContributionCommunity storyTaxonomyStories | People

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Maharaia Winiata, by Lyn Harpham