News
Published 9 May 2019Kua hinga te totara i Te Waonui-a-Tane Passing of Professor Wharehuia Milroy
Professor James Te Wharehuia Milroy (Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Koura) the esteemed leader and te reo scholar, has passed, aged 82. Professor Milroy proposed Te Apārangi as the Māori name for the Society and this generous gift was accepted in 2007.
Professor Wharehuia Milroy taught at the University of Waikato and with fellow Professors Timoti Karetu and Pou Temara set up Te Panekiretanga o te Reo institute of excellence in the Māori language. He also served on the Waitangi Tribunal.
Royal Society Te Apārangi Past-President Richard Bedford described Professor Wharehuia Milroy as "a great kaumātua and friend to Te Apārangi".
Society President Professor Wendy Larner says she is deeply saddened to hear of Te Wharehuia's passing. "He has clearly been an exceptional leader and pillar for the rejuvenation of te reo. It is great loss to Aotearoa."
Mei kore koe ka kore rawa tēnei mahi e tutuki, e haumāuiui.
If it wasn’t for you this task would never have been achieved
E te rangatira, e te pātaka o te kupu,
O chiefly one, fount of the written and spoken word
Hoki atu rā ki ō mātua, ki ō tūpuna e tatari atu rā.
Return to your ancestors who await you.
Read more tributes and memories:
NZ Herald: Tūhoe leader Professor Te Wharehuia Milroy farewelled in Rotorua
RNZ: Te reo Māori expert Wharehuia Milroy dies
Waatea News: Te Wharehuia Milroy Morpheus of Māoridom