Te Arawa Whānau Ora Chairman Honorable Te Ururoa Flavell (Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāti Ngararanui, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Te Ata and Ngāpuhi), has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Waikato at a ceremony held at his Tarimano Marae in Ngongotahā.
University of Waikato Chancellor, Sir Anand Satyanand presenting Honerable Te Ururoa Flavell with the Honorary Doctorate degree.
"Mr Flavell has been instrumental in leading and advocating for Māori communities, education and wellbeing in New Zealand over the past 30 years, and it is my honour to confer this degree today,” said Vice-Chancellor, Professor Neil Quigley.
The Honorary Doctorate recognises Mr Flavell’s significant contributions to the University and its students through his teaching of Māori and New Zealand politics, Māori leadership concepts and Māori business development.
“Tēnēi au e noho nei i te whakaiti,” said Mr Flavell.
I am very humbled to be conferred with such a prestigious award by the University of Waikato. To be recognised alongside mentors, role models, Māori leaders and friends is a huge honour and a very proud occasion, for myself, my whanau and my iwi.
Professor Quigley says Mr Flavell has championed numerous initiatives aimed at improving the social, economic and wellbeing of Māori.
“His contributions to Māori development and his tireless work in promoting te reo Māori have left a lasting impact on the nation.”
Born in Tokoroa and raised in Rotorua, Mr Flavell attended St Stephen’s School in Bombay, where he was Head Boy and later Principal, before obtaining a Secondary Teaching qualification, and later a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Auckland. This was followed by a Master of Arts in Māori Studies and Anthropology from the University of Waikato in 1988.
“Mr Flavell’s career as an educator has seen him teach, lead and influence education through the advancement of te reo Māori, tikanga Māori and Māori development at kohanga, kura kaupapa, secondary and tertiary levels.
He has also held key roles in Māori education, including the Chief Executive of Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, Te Ataarangi and Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
