Introduction
Ranginui Joseph Isaac Walker, DCNZM (1 March 1932 – 28 February 2016) of Māori and Lebanese descent, was an academic and writer living in New Zealand.
Early life
Walker was born in 1932 into a farming family. He was a member of the Whakatōhea tribe of Opotiki in the Bay of Plenty.
He was educated at St Peter's Maori College, Auckland, Auckland Teachers' Training College and the University of Auckland. He was a primary school teacher for 10 years.
Career and activism
Walker was a member of Māori activist group Ngā Tamatoa.
Walker was secretary of the Auckland District Māori Council from 1969 to 1973 and chairman from 1974 to 1990.
He eventually become the Professor and Head of Māori Studies at the University of Auckland.
In 2003 Walker became a member of the Waitangi Tribunal.
Awards and honours
In 2009 he received a Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement
Prime Minister John Key said Walker was "not only an insightful commentator on important historical and contemporary issues, but was a tireless and passionate advocate for Maori".
Books
Walker published a number of books, including:
- Perceptions and Attitudes of the New Generation of Maoris to Pakeha Domination (1981)
- History of Maori Activism (1983)
- The Treaty of Waitangi (1983)
- The Political Development of the Maori People in New Zealand (1984)
- The Meaning of Biculturalism (1986)
- Nga Mamae o te Iwi Maori: Te Ripoata o te Hui i Turangawaewae (1987)
- Nga Tau Tohetohe The Years of Anger (1987)
- Ka Whawhai Tonu Matou / Struggle Without End (1990)
- Liberating Maori from Educational Subjection (1991)
- Nga Pepa a Ranginui The Walker Papers (1997)
- He Tipua The Life and Times of Sir Apirana Ngata (2001)
- Opotiki-Mai-Tawhiti Capital of Whakatohea (2007)