New Chair and Commissioners appointed to the Māori Language Commission

The Māori Development Minister is pleased to announce that Dr Wayne Ngata has been appointed as the new Toihau of the Māori Language Commission.

“Dr Ngata (Te Āitanga ā Hauiti, Ngāti Ira, Ngāti Porou) has served as a Commissioner in the past alongside the previous Chair Erima Henare who passed away suddenly almost two months ago.

“I am pleased that he will build on Erima’s legacy and bring his extensive knowledge of te reo Māori and the education sector to this important role,” says Hon Te Ururoa Flavell.

Professor Rawinia Higgins and Charisma Rangipunga have also been appointed to Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori for three years. They are first-time commissioners on the Crown entity responsible for the promotion and development of Te Reo Māori.

"I’m thrilled that all three of these language experts have agreed to their appointments,” says Mr Flavell.

Minister Flavell said imminent changes proposed in the new Māori Language Bill will require strong leadership by the Board.

“The new appointees collectively possess an excellent combination of skills and experience to undertake the roles and responsibilities required for Te Taura Whiri te Reo Māori.”

The three appointees will join current members, Awanuiārangi Black and Hinurewa Poutu on the Board.

“I wish to thank Dr Poia Rewi, Dr Ruka Broughton and Dr Kātarina Edmonds for their service and time on the Board. They have provided a solid base for the next board to build on,” says Mr Flavell.

Biographical Information:

Dr Wayne Ngata (Te Āitanga ā Hauiti, Ngāti Ira, Ngāti Porou)

Dr Ngata is committed to the education and the revitalisation of te reo Māori. He has broad involvement working in a number of senior advisory and management roles in education with a particular focus on Māori mediums and research.

He has held several governance positions from a range of boards and sectors, and possess a strong understanding of the role and function of Te Taura Whiri i te reo Māori, having been a board member for two terms, and a former acting Chief Executive in 2010.

Dr Ngata has significant knowledge, experience and networks which will support him to undertake the role of Toihau – Chair of the Board.

Professor Rawinia Higgins (Tūhoe)

Professor Higgins is a te reo Māori educationalist. She is the head of the School of Māori Students, and more recently the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Māori Research at Victoria University.

She has extensive governance experience including being a former member of the Working Party for Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust. Currently she is the Chair of the Māori Language Advisory Group, a member of the Waitangi Tribunal and a board member of Te Māngai Pāho.

Charisma Rangipunga (Kāti Mamoe, Kāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu, Taranaki, Ngā Rauru, Ngāti Ruanui)

Charisma is the General Manger of Te Taumatua at Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. She has been heavily involved with the Ngāi Tahu Māori language revitalisation strategy or the past 14 years. She is an author of te reo Māori books which has been dedicated to the revitalisation of te reo Māori.

She is also a current member of the Māori Language Advisory Group.