Dr Rangi Nicholson (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Pahauwera, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Toa Rangatira) Thesis:Ko te mea nui, ko te aroha. Theological Perspectives on Māori Language and Cultural Regenesis Policy and Practice of the Anglican Church Institution: University of Auckland.
Dr Adam Taylor (Ngāi Tahu – Awarua Rūnanga, Te Rūnanga o Moeraki, Waihōpai Rūnaka) Thesis:The identity of high achieving IT professionals at work: A Narrative Analysis Institution: AUT. Dr Simon Bennet (Ngāi Tahu, Te Arawa and Ngāpuhi) Thesis:Te Huanga o te Ao: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Māori clients with depression Institution: Massey University. Dr Doug King (Ngāi Tahu) Thesis:Injuries in Rugby League: Incidence influences and return to play decisions. Institution: AUT.
Dr Jonathon Proctor (Ngāi Tahu, Muaūpoko) Thesis:Towards improving Volcanic Mass Hazard Assessment at New Zealand Stratovolcanoes Institution: University of Otago. Dr Michael Stevens (Ngāi Tahu – Awarua Rūnanga, Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua, Te Rūnanga o Moeraki, Waihōpai Rūnaka) Thesis:Mutton birds and Modernity in Murihiku: Continuity and Change in Kāi Tahu Knowledge Institution: University of Otago.
George West (Ngāi Tahu – Awarua, Oraka Aparima, Hokonui, Ōtākou, Puketeraki, Waihōpai, Waihao and Arowhenua) was born in Wakapatu, Southland in 1914. He attended Invercargill Technical College before joining William Cable & Co Ltd in Wellington as an apprentice civil engineering. In 1933 he was selected for a schoolboy flying scholarship with Southland Aero Club and received his pilot’s licence in March 1934. In 1936 he became the first Māori to join the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Leading Ngāi Tahu Aircraftman George West
As well as being a skilled carver, West was popular and a gifted musician, playing reveille on the bugle each morning during his time at Wigram. On 11 May 1939 West took off as the passenger on a night flight from Wigram in a Vickers Vildebeest. At 8.15pm, the aircraft clipped trees on its final approach, crashed and burst into flames. The pilot flying the aircraft died under the wreckage but the instructor and West were pulled free, both in shock and severely burnt. They both died from their injuries the following day. After a joint Māori and military ceremony at Christchurch railway station, West’s body was returned to Southland and he was buried at Bluff, in the company of his family and some of his RNZAF friends from Wigram.
On the right George West The Air Force Museum of New Zealand is going to be opening an exhibition dedicated to George West, the first Māori and Ngāi Tahu Royal New Zealand Air Force pilot.
The exhibition is going to be opened in June. For more information contact the Air Force Museum of New Zealand on (03) 343 9521. Waihao Marae in June/July. An initial email to those who had said they were interested in the earlier workshop showed there was still interest. Plans are now afoot for a new wananga. Writer Keri Hulme has said she is fully supportive of a wananga. Please let us know if you are interested in attending by emailing: Carolynn Bull cmbull@xtra.co.nz Gerry Coates gerry@wise-analysis.co.nz
Ngāi Tahu Writers’ Wananga The planned Ngai Tahu Writers’ Wananga that was to feature alongside the Christchurch Readers and Writers Festival was cancelled due to the earthquake. However, a new wananga has been proposed to be held at
28