Maori Party farewells Maori affairs legend

Maori Party co-leaders Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples have today expressed their great sadness at the passing of Maori affairs ‘legend’ Jock McEwen.

“Jock started off as a cadet employed in the Department of Native Affairs by Sir Apirana Ngata. From those beginnings Jock rose to become Secretary of Maori Affairs, and played a key part in creating policy to advance social and economic equality for Maori during the 1960s and 1970s” said Dr Sharples.

“I had a great admiration for this cheerful Scot, who also became President and tutor of Ma-wai-hakona, which at the time was considered one of the most significant Maori cultural groups of its day” said Dr Sharples.

“Jock, under the pseudonym of ‘Te Oka’ composed waiata, and was also known as a Master Carver” said Dr Sharples. “He had a keen interest in carving as is evidenced in his books on the carved house, Kahukura at Orongomai Marae and the carved houses of Te Arawa”.

“Jock McEwen had a huge respect for the tribal histories of tangata whenua” said Mrs Turia. “New Zealand can learn much from him, in terms of the passion and the responsibility he felt, to educate himself and others about our histories”.

“The legacy of his tribal histories of Rangitane is particularly valued within my electorate (Te Tai Hauauru) “ said Mrs Turia.

“During his long life Jock had the opportunity of working alongside some leading figures in Maoridom – of the ilk of Sir Apirana, Sir Hugh Kawharu, Professor Whatarangi WIniata, Professor Ranginui Walker; and his influence is recorded in the documentary history about Maori incorporation and, Maori culture in particular”.

“Jock was also Resident Commissioner in Niue for the New Zealand Department of Island Affairs during the early 50s and retained an active interest in writing about such matters in Niue as land tenure or constitutional reform”.

“We express our heartfelt sympathies to the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of this hearty 95 year old who contributed so much to our country” said Mrs Turia.

“They can be very proud that their koro will be forever associated with excellence, with Maori development and with the gift of storytelling by the awarding of the Jock McEwen Trophy every year, at the Nga Manu Korero Speech Contest”.

NB: In 1965 Jock McEwen carved and presented a taonga, a waka hui, which is awarded to the runner up in the Korimako (Senior English) section of the national Nga Manu Korero Speech Contest.

Jock McEwen will lie in state at Orongomai Marae until noon on Friday the 14th when he shall be taken to St Margaret’s Church, Silverstream for the funeral service.

ENDS

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