Source: NorthTec
Taipari Munro has been appointed into the position of Te Amorangi at NorthTec, and was welcomed with a pōwhiri on Monday (23 November) at Te Puna o Te Mātauranga marae.
The appointment of Mātua Taipari (Te Uriroroi/Te Parawhau/Ngati Wai/Ngati Te Tawera/Te Waiariki/Ngati Hine/Ngāpuhi) follows the passing of longstanding Kaumātua, Hohepa Rudolph, in May.
The position of Te Amorangi is a broader role than that of Kaumātua. Mātua Taipari will lead NorthTec’s work in ensuring the organisation meets its obligations under te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Te Pūkenga Charter. He will provide advice and support to the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team, which he will join.
Mātua Taipari will also lead, and be supported by, a group of elders who will be known as Te Kāhui o Kaumātua from throughout Te Tai Tokerau and will support embedding of the Māori Capability Development Framework into NorthTec’s day-to-day practices.
Jon Smith, NorthTec’s Acting Chief Executive, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Mātua Taipari to NorthTec and we look forward to the wisdom and leadership that he will bring. Mātua Taipari is a highly respected leader and is joining NorthTec at a time of major change in the tertiary education sector. His guidance in many matters will serve us well as we move forward as part of Te Pūkenga.”
Mātua Taipari spoke of the importance of Mātauranga Māori in education, and of ensuring that Māori knowledge and representation are retained.
The pōwhiri was attended by Māori leaders and other dignitaries from across Te Tai Tokerau, as well as NorthTec staff.
