Nga mea poto

Tu Tangata, Issue 21, 1 December 1984, Page 45

Nga mea poto

The Maori approach to health will be presented at the Ansearch 85 conference at the Auckland Teachers Training College next May. Palmerston North’s Dr Mason Durie will address the Australia and New Zealand Society for Epidemiology and Research in Community Health.

Major Leith Pirika Comer, N.Z. Army returned recently from America where he distinguished himself in his three years of duty. He attended an officers course and was awarded the Dwight D Eisenhower Distinguished Award, the first New Zealander to receive the top award. Major Comer has been in the army for several years and has been a substantive Major for three. He is at present stationed at Waiouru Military Camp.

His father, Purei Arnold Fraser served with the Maori Battalion in World War Two. His mother married again after his death.

His paternal great grandfathers were Raureti Mokonuirangi and Hapi Tihini Pereiha, both chiefs in Te Arawa Confederation.

The Maori Studies chair at Auckland University has been taken by Professor Hugh Kawharu from Ngati Whatua. Professor Kawharu lectured in Maori Studies at Auckland University before leaving in 1970 to set up a department of social anthropology and Maori Studies at Massey University.

He replaces Professor Bruce Briggs who retired earlier in the year.

Professor Kawharu has acted as consultant for United Nations organisations and the New Zealand Council for Educational Research.

Kuru Waaka replaces Kingi Ihaka as chairman of the Council for Maori and South Pacific Arts. Kuru was a former director of the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute at Whakarewarewa. Archdecon Ihaka has taken a post in Sydney looking after the large Maori population there.

Rhonda has been voted as the New Zealand Entertainer of the Year by the Entertainment Operators Association. ‘Sea Urchins’ actor, 19 year old Freddie Hemara received the ‘Rising Star' Award.

A new Maori Affairs office building has been opened in Christchurch by the previous Minister of Maori Affairs, Mr Ben Couch. The present Minister, Mr Koro Wetere also assisted at the opening.