Dr Pouroto Ngaropo Launches New Biography

The life and legacy of Awanuiārangi Council advisor, Dr Pouroto Ngaropo, were celebrated at Te Mānuka Tūtahi Marae in Whakatāne last week, as whānau, friends, iwi leaders, and colleagues, gathered to mark the launch of his new biography, Pouroto Ngaropo— His Story: Rejuvenating Traditional Māori Leadership.  

Written by Brad Haami, the biography traces Dr Ngaropo's journey as a Māori leader, educator, cultural advisor and advocate for te reo Māori, tikanga and mātauranga Māori. 

Following the book's first launch at Auckland University of Technology on 12 September, the Whakatāne launch brought the story home to the rohe and many of the people and places that have shaped Dr Ngaropo's life and leadership.  

Several guest speakers acknowledged Dr Ngaropo, both personally and professionally, including Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi Board Chair, Hon. Justice Layne Harvey, whose presentation featured photos and memories spanning 30 years.  

Justice Harvey acknowledged the significant contribution Dr Ngaropo has made to his hapū and marae, and his service to Ngāti Awa, including the role he played in their Treaty settlement journey.  

Insightful comments were also shared by Te Rūnanga Ngāti Awa tumuaki, Tuwhakairioira O’Brien and Chief Executive of Te Tohu o te Ora o Ngāti Awa, Enid Ratahi-Pryor. 

A warm and heartfelt tribute to Dr Ngaropo was shared by his eldest daughter, Rangipare, who spoke about growing up under her father’s influence and how those experiences have shaped her own life.  

Author Brad Haami reflected on the past five years spent writing the biography, and the process of working with Dr Ngaropo to capture the depth of a lifetime in just 500 pages. 

Dr Ngaropo's whakapapa reaches across many iwi, reflecting the breadth of his whānau and ancestral connections including Ngāti Awa, Te Kōtahi ō te Awa o te Atua, Tūhourangi, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Pūkenga, Maniapoto, Tainui, Te Arawa, Ngāti Hauā, Hauraki, Te Whānau-a-Apanui, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue, Waitaha, Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Raukawa.  

His connection and commitment to Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi is grounded in whakapapa. As an uri of Ngāti Awa his relationship with the Wānanga is deeply connected to the rohe and communities it serves.  

Dr Ngaropo's role as a Toi Aparangi Advisor to Council, brings extensive knowledge and experience to the Wānanga's strategic direction, Justice Harvey says. 

“Pouroto and I have worked together for our iwi, hapu and marae for over three decades.  His tenacious resilience, boundless patience and ceaseless quest for knowledge and the dissemination of our mātauranga to our uri and the wider community are qualities that have always marked him out as a leader.   

"This book represents yet another invaluable resource for the iwi that is full of the kind of information and learning that Pouroto is always willing to share.”