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National | Tikanga

Union farewells beloved kaumātua

The Tertiary Education Union has paid tribute to their kaumātua and reo Māori champion Dr Huirangi Waikerepuru, who retires from his union commitments.

Dr Waikerepuru was crucial in the official recognition of the Māori language and lobbied for the establishment of Te Māngai Pāho, iwi radio stations and Māori Television.

In a statement today the union described his contribution to unions as “immense.”

TEU’s Te Pou Tuarā Lee Cooper says Dr Waikerepuru pioneered the Māori-specific provisions that are in many of TEU’s collective agreements and he contributed to countless union policies and Government submissions - notably the union’s strong stance on the foreshore and seabed legislation and active promotion of Te Reo Māori.

“I’m happy he is able to retire properly from the sector after his decades of work. But we will miss his huge body of knowledge in Te Ao Kōhatu, wisdom of te reo Māori me ōna tikanga, and his calming influence,” said Mr Cooper.

Former CTU president Ross Wilson has also paid tribute, “The union movement was privileged to have the benefit of his wisdom and extensive knowledge of tikanga as a kaumātua and adviser.”

Dr Waikerepuru retires today after almost 30 years as an active member of TEU and its predecessors ASTE and ATTI.