Another champion for te reo, his people and for Māori education was honoured today in the ceremony held in Auckland.
Tāwhirimātea Williams was given an emotional welcome by his students of Te Wānanga Takiura o Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori this afternoon, following his receiving the MNZOM in acknowledgement of the 47 years he has spent working in education, as a teacher, principal, a highly successful kapa haka tutor, pioneer in Māori medium teaching and stalwart lecturer at teacher's training college.
He said, "The award I have been given honours these trainees, who honour us. So the prestige that this award gives extends beyond me, to my family and all of these students."