New award named in Māori journalist's honour

 A specially designed print by renowned Māori artist Ngataiharuru Taepa will be presented to the first recipient of Te Tohu a Tanara Whairiri Kitawhiti Ngata.

The first Māori journalism lifetime achievement award is to be named in honour of Māori broadcasting pioneer Whai Ngata. Mr Ngata (Ngāti Porou/Te Whānau-ā-Apanui), who died in April this year, played a pivotal role in the development of Māori news and current affairs during a career that spanned three decades. Massey University’s 2016 Ngā Kupu Ora Awards: Celebrating Māori Books and Journalism will this year recognise reporters for the first time and present an award in Mr Ngata’s name.

Assistant Vice-Chancellor Dr Selwyn Katene, says naming the lifetime achievement award in Whai Ngata’s memory was a fitting way to pay tribute to someone who mentored so many during his long career and who played such a big part in forging a path for Māori journalism. 

Mr Ngata was made an Officer of the Order of New Zealand Merit in 2007 for his services to Broadcasting and retired from TVNZ in 2008 after a 25 year career with the company. 

This year’s Te Tohu a Tanara Whairiri Kitawhiti Ngata recipient will be named at the Ngā Kupu Ora Awards: Celebrating Māori Books and Journalism on Monday October 3 at Auckland War Memorial Museum.