On 4 April 1944 at his opening address to the Porourangi Maori Cultural School at the Pavilion Whakarua Park, Ruatoria Ta Apirana said:

“What is the use of knowledge of Maori culture, history and traditions? It is the realisation, that such knowledge is necessary to the education of our youth, that it is growingly being acknowl- edged as an asset by the people of New Zealand and of the world outside and that we Maori are expected to have and maintain the knowledge, which has caused me to welcome the respite from public duties.”

It was Ta Apirana’s intention that upon his retirement from public life in 1943 to return to Ruatoria and spend more “time to pursue his scholarly interests in Maori history, traditions and whaka- papa.”

This years theme is Tribal histories and Scholarship: learning about ourselves. Ngati Porou is currently in a time of tran- sition. Before heading into an unknown yet optimistic future, this is a good op- portunity to look back at where we have come from and reflect upon our own korero tuku iho and its role in our future. Come and learn more about ourselves from some of our many tribal scholars and historians.

With the permission of Ta Henare Ngata the Rauru nui a Toi Lectures written by his father in 1944 will be available for sale at this years Lectures for $30.00.

MANE 10 OKETOPA

1pm - 2pm                    Session 1: Meet and greet newly elected Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou Trustees -  What are their aspirations for Ngati Porou?

2pm - 4:30pm               Session 2:  Ta Apirana 's Legacy: The Role of Scholarship

                                                        - MC Dr Monty Soutar

                                                          Ta Tamatai Reedy - Ngati Porou's pre eminent Scholar on Ta Apirana Ngata and Scholarship today.

                                                           Dr Oliver Sutherland - Ta Apirana Ngata and Paikea, Ivan L.G.Sutherland: The Legacy of a Twenty Five Year Friendship between the Maori Leader and Pakeha Academic.

4:30pm                                               Dinner at TKKM o Te Wai U o Ngati Porou

6pm                                Session 3:  Tribal Histories & Scholarship Today

                                                              Keita Ngata, Erana Brewerton & Campbell Ngata - Whanau historical research

                                                              Hirini Kaa - Te Whare Miraka ki te Whare Karakia: Ta apirana Ngata and the cultural economy of Ngati Porou

                                                              Tiwana Tibble - Nga korero mo Maraehara

                                                               Nepia Mahuika - The future of the past: Ngati Porou histories post - 2011

 
Click here to download a printable version of the Ngata Lectures Programme 2011