Highest UCOL Honour for John Maihi

News Release Di Billing

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EMBARGOED 1400 THURSDAY 7 APRIL

7 April 2011

Highest UCOL Honour for John Maihi

The Whanganui recipient of new Universal College of Learning Council Honours was announced at Whanganui UCOL’s graduation ceremony today.

The awards, made for the first time this year, honour people who have made an outstanding contribution to UCOL, the wider community and to society.

UCOL kaumatua and Whanganui iwi representative John Maihi receives the highest honour of Honorary Fellow, for an outstanding and distinguished contribution.

Council Chair Trevor Goodwin says Mr Maihi was a Ministerial appointment on UCOL’s Council from 2002 until 2010 and has been the Kaumatua for the Whanganui campus for many years.

“As Kaumatua, John possesses a strong sense of responsibility for the welfare of his people but goes about his work quietly and does not draw attention to himself. In spite of his quiet approach, his service to the community and iwi is well known. His wisdom is widely respected.”

He says Mr Maihi continues to contribute to UCOL and the greater Whanganui community in many ways and provides a role model for staff, students and the community. “UCOL is very fortunate to have the commitment of a person of his mana and standing,” he says.

Mr Goodwin says UCOL represents only a small part of Mr Maihi’s larger commitments and work. “He has also been recognised by the wider community for his service and involvement on the Whanganui District Council, Regional Council, Whanganui Regional Community Polytechnic, Whanganui District Health Board, Social Welfare agencies, WINZ, Police and prisons, as well as a large number of Government and iwi organisations.”

Mr Maihi has been the kaiwhakahaere (chairman) of Wanganui's Tupoho hapu for more than 20 years and works part-time as Maori liaison officer at Wanganui District Council.

He also chairs Te Puna Matauranga o Whanganui, his tribe's education authority, and the Maori development organisation Nga Tai o Te Awa and is a deputy chair of the Whanganui River Maori Trust Board.

Mr Maihi says he is pleased to receive the UCOL Honour and looks forward to working with UCOL for the advancement of Maori educational aspirations, through the establishment of a centre for tertiary education for Whanganui iwi and Maori students. “I believe education is the key to a successful future for our people,” Mr Maihi says.

Palmerston North chartered accountant and former Deputy Chair of the UCOL Council Malcolm Pettman has also been made an Honorary Fellow, for an outstanding and distinguished contribution to UCOL and the wider community. A third Honour will be announced at UCOL’s Wairarapa graduation ceremony next week.

ENDS

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