Piripi Walker of the Raukawa tribe reflects on his efforts in te reo Māori revitalisation through Ngā Kaiwhakapūmau. He emphasises key initiatives such as the establishment of a te reo Māori radio station, engagement with the Waitangi Tribunal, and continuous advocacy for te reo Māori rights.

About the speaker

Tāwini Rangihau Piripi Walker

Ngāti Raukawa
Ngā Kaiwhakapūmau i te Reo Māori (Wellington Māori Language Board)

Piripi Walker was born in Wellington and was educated at St Peter’s and St. Paul’s Convent, Lower Hutt, St Bernard’s Primary School, and St Patrick’s College, Silverstream. From 1975-76 he was Assistant Executive Officer for the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation. In 1981 he graduated with a B.A. (Hons) in Māori Studies from Victoria University. Walker tutored in Māori Studies at Victoria University in 1981 and from 1982 has been an occasional tutor at Te Wananga o Raukawa. He was an Otaki and Porirua Trusts Board Hui tutor for Rangatahi from 1981-83 and was Assistant Director for Te Wananga o Raukawa Immersion Hui.

Walker was a Māori language radio producer for Radio New Zealand from 1982-87 and he trained Māori radio broadcasters from when he was manager for Te Upoko o te Ika Radio Station from 1987-1991 and was a Māori negotiator for the Māori Broadcasting Treaty Claims. He is secretary of Ngā Kaiwhakapūmau i te Reo (The Wellington Māori Language Board) and from 1983-1991 was a member of the Board. In 1990 he was a member of the Māori Radio Federation Board. Until recently he lectured at Te Wananga o Raukawa in Otaki. From 1983 to the present, he has written various articles on Māori treaty claims, Māori politics and Māori language and broadcasting for the New Zealand Listener, The Dominion, The Evening Post, New Zealand Herald.