Nga wai’s appointment was confirmed by the Office of the Kīngitanga in September. She officially took up her position this week during the University’s Council meeting.
An alumna of the University, Nga wai holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in tikanga Māori and te reo Māori. She has had a long association with the University of Waikato and was a core member of the weaving team that prepared the tukutuku panels that reside in the University’s wharenui, Ko Te Tangata, in The Pā.
University of Waikato Chancellor, Sir Anand Satyanand, says Nga wai’s knowledge of tikanga and te reo Māori provides additional depth across the membership of the Council and the appointment is underscored by Kīngi Tūheitia’s utmost confidence in her to undertake this role.
Nga wai is member of the Waitangi National Trust Board and Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust, a board member of the Waikato-Tainui College for Research and Development, and a director of Kaarihi Limited.
Nga wai’s appointment replaces outgoing Council member, Paki Rawiri (Waikato, Ngāpuhi).
