Te Hautū Kahurangi mourns the passing of Dr Huirangi Waikerepuru.

On April 9, TEU mourned the passing of Dr Te Huirangi Waikerepuru.

Dr Te Huirangi Eruera Waikerepuru CNZM (Taranaki, Ngāpuhi) passed away at the Palmerston North hospital in the presence of his Waikerepuru whānau including daughters Ria and Te Urutahi.

Dr Waikerepuru was instrumental in the Ngā Kaiwhakapūmau ite Reo Māori movement, leading the case through the privy council that NewZealand should recognise and protest Te Reo Māori as a taonga under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and lobbied for the establishment of Te Māngai Pāho, iwi radio stations and Māori Television. He was a Companion of the New Zealand Order ofMerit, was awarded a lifetime achievement award at the Māori language awards in 2016, and a life member of Te Hautū Kahurangi|Tertiary Education Union.

The values on which our union rests and the paths that we choose now are ones that he has guided us to, gently but clearly.

Huirangi has made so many contributions in so many spheres that he has been active in through all of his life. In the union space,his patience and skilful teaching has had an enduring impact that means the TEU will continue to be shaped by his values and philosophy long after his death. The sign surely of a true and inspiring leader.

Te Huirangi Waikerepuru dies aged 91 - RNZ

We owe so much to Huirangi – E-Tangata

Taranaki's mighty tōtara Dr Huirangi Waikerepuru has died - Stuff

Whānau pani shares special tribute with Aotearoa – Te Ao