September 26, 2016
Whai Ngata to be remembered in Maori media award.
The legacy of ground-breaking Maori journalist Whai Ngata will be remembered at next week's Massey University Nga Kupu Ora Maori Book and Media Awards
The lifetime achievement in journalism award in his name will be presented at the Massey University Nga Kupu Ora Maori Book and Media Awards,,
During his 40-year career Mr Ngata worked in print with the Auckland Star and for Radio New Zealand before becoming a reporter for Te Karere and then head of Maori programmes at Television New Zealand, as well as working on a Maori dictionary with members of his whanau.
Massey assistant vice chancellor Dr Selwyn Katene says it's the first time the awards mark the contribution of journalism.
"We recognise that the Maori media play an incredible and often unsung role in the media and it hasn't been easy, an uphill battle over the years. Whai Ngata and others were at the forefront. They pioneered the whole shabang so it's important that we pause, reflect and take stock of the contributions which they've made," he says.
The winner of the Whai Ngata lifetime achievement award will be announced at the Nga Kupu Ora awards ceremony at Auckland War Memorial Museum on October 3.
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