Te reo Māori scholar Sir Patrick (Patu) Hohepa has died at the age of 87. Photo:
Renowned te reo Māori scholar Sir Patrick (Patu) Hohepa has died at the age of 87.
Sir Patrick, who was a professor at the University of Auckland, and a renowned teacher and scholar of te reo Māori and other Pacific languages, was knighted in 2022 for services to Māori culture and education.
He was a leader in the 'Māori renaissance', and the first to advocate for a marae at the University of Auckland.
In the 1980s he wrote a report for the government on the establishment of the Waitangi Tribunal, and repeal of the Māori Affairs Act.
He served as the commissioner of the Māori Language Commission from 1997 to 2007, heavily promoting te reo Māori and developing proficiency testing.
From 2004 and 2008 he served as a member of Te Waka Toi, the Māori Board of Creative New Zealand.
Sir Patrick will be taken to Otātara Marae, in his home in Waimā, Hokianga later today.
