November 30, 2020
Honorary doctorate for shearer turned educator
Massey University has conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Education on Rangitāne kaumātua Manahi Paewai, in recognition of his dedication and contribution to Māori education.
The Te Aute old boy spent a couple of decades in the family shearing business before moving into teaching, including at kura kaupapa and wharekura established by Rangitāne in Dannevirke.
He says there is real satisfaction in being able to teach your own.
"And then seeing them walk onto the stage, as we did just the other day, another of our students going through kura and then going away to training college to sit these degree courses and coming out the other end fully equipped in two languages and ready for the world, nothing gives greater comfort to me," Dr Paewai says.
He says the stories told to him by his mother set a platform for his involvement in tribal politics.
Copyright © 2020, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com