Dictionary fresh step in long trekNZ Herald , Saturday June 21, 2008, by Carolyn Thomas
Whai Ngata has transformed Maori coverage during his 40 years in journalism.
Whai Ngata spent four years completing the standard English-Maori dictionary his father started.
He toiled away at night after Hori, his father, died suddenly in February 1989.
Whai was born to the task: a great-grandson of the Ngati Porou visionary Sir Apirana Ngata, he grew up wrapped in Maori culture, tradition and te reo.
Now, as retirement beckons, Whai Ngata plans to do it all again and compile a second edition of the H. M. Ngata English-Maori Dictionary.
"If that's not enough to keep me busy then I don't know what will," the 66-year-old says.
Next week Ngata leaves a 40-year career in journalism when he retires as general manager of Maori programming at TVNZ. It has been a long journey.
Whai Ngata spent four years completing the standard English-Maori dictionary his father started.
He toiled away at night after Hori, his father, died suddenly in February 1989.
Whai was born to the task: a great-grandson of the Ngati Porou visionary Sir Apirana Ngata, he grew up wrapped in Maori culture, tradition and te reo.
Now, as retirement beckons, Whai Ngata plans to do it all again and compile a second edition of the H. M. Ngata English-Maori Dictionary.
"If that's not enough to keep me busy then I don't know what will," the 66-year-old says.
Next week Ngata leaves a 40-year career in journalism when he retires as general manager of Maori programming at TVNZ. It has been a long journey.
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