Wiremu Tawhai

Wiremu Tāwhai (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Te Whakatōhea, Ngāti Awa) was a teacher of language and culture, a scholar, an author, actor and a broadcaster. An elder of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, he learned traditional knowledge from a young age and was acknowledged as an expert on oral literature and marae protocols and an authority on maramataka, the Māori calendar.

Wiremu travelled widely throughout his life and taught in London, working with mentally damaged and immigrant children. He later lectured at Te Whare Wānangā o Awanuiārangi on early education, Māori environmental science and technology, and Māori language and kaupapa.

Wiremu served on the Arts Council of New Zealand (Te Waka Toi), was a member of advisory committees to the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology, and the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Science. He was a member of Te Hau Mihi Ata (Waikato University Māori Environmental Scientists Group), was on the Trust Board of Enviroschools.

Wiremu was awarded the Senior Researcher Award 2009 from Te Whare Wānangā o Awanuiārangi and a Tā Kingi Ihaka Award 2009 from Te Waka Toi. In 2010 he finished his MA degree and appeared 150 times on Whatukura for Māori Television.

Wiremu passed away in December 2010.