Hon Tariana Turia and Hon Dr Pita Sharples
Maori Party Co-Leaders
8 October 2012

Poroporoaki : Dr Joseph Te Kani Anaru Hetekia Pere

Māori Party co-leaders, Tariana Turia and Dr Pita Sharples, have expressed their sadness at the passing last night of Dr Joe Pere.

“Dr Joe was a respected historian, an archivist, and a renown educationalist” said Dr Sharples. “In 1991, his scholarship challenged the traditions of history as told from the perspective of the coloniser (‘Hitori Māori’). Dr Joe critiqued 19th century writing which purported to have “a better understanding of things Māori than the Māori himself”.

“Joe not only challenged histories that he saw as inferior; he went ahead and sought to redress the balance; particularly for the descendants of Wi Pere with his claim before the Tribunal concerning the Pouparae block”.

“I was so proud to be able to celebrate with Joe, at the launch of his book on Wi Pere, at Rongopai Marae in Gisborne just two years ago” said Tariana Turia. “Joe was so determined to write the record of his grandfather, Wi Pere who represented Eastern Māori between 1884 and 1905. During his tenure, Wi Pere opposed the Native Land Title giving land title to individuals; and was deeply opposed to the confiscation or alienation of land. A century later, Wi Pere’s mokopuna was determined that this history be preserved for the benefit of all their descendants; and for the education of all New Zealanders”.

“We express our deepest sympathies to Dr Rangimarie Tūruki Rose Pere in the loss of her much cherished husband. Our thoughts are with his whānau, hapū and iwi at the passing of one of their precious kaumātua. We know his legacy will endure in the memories, the words and the publications he has created.

No reira e Joe, e hoki ki to ukaipo. E te whanau pani, ka nui te tangi ki to koutou rangatira e tiraha mai ra.

ENDS

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