Tireless campaigner for and servant of Maori caught in controversy late in life
MAORI leader, academic and businessman Sir Ngatata Love (81), born in Lower Hutt, was a powerful advocate for Maori throughout the lower North Island, working with various groups on Waitangi Tribunal claims and land issues.
He was a professor in business studies, managed the Wellington Tenths Trust and the Palmerston North Maori Reserve Land Trust, and served terms as chief executive of Te Puni Kokiri and the Ministry of Maori Development.
He was awarded a PhD from Victoria University of
Wellington in 1978, and eventually became Emeritus Professor at both Massey University and Victoria.
Controversy hit in 2016 when, while in poor health, he was sentenced to twoandahalf years in jail for obtaining property by deception.
He and his former partner, the late Lorraine Skiffington, used a $1.5 million payment from a land developer, given as a premium for access to valuable land owned by the Wellington Tenths Trust, to repay most of a mortgage on a Plimmerton house they coowned.
Sir Ngatata appealed his conviction and sentence, last year citing he suffered from dementia and was not mentally fit to stand trial, but it was turned down by the Court of Appeal.
He was released on parole a year ago, after less than a year of his sentence.
Dame Tariana Turia said Sir Ngatata was ‘‘dedicated to doing his best for Maoridom’’.
‘‘His commitment over his lifetime was massive and we must not let the recent years of his downfall redefine the considerable sacrifices and leadership he had made for decades before.
‘‘His legacy of service was impressive and I will always be thankful for his support and his guidance.’’
Dame Tariana said she fondly recalled the support he gave her when she was first made a minister in the 1999 government.
‘‘Having the right people to give expression to your aspirations is key to being an effective minister.
‘‘Ngatata knew that and he was prepared to search wide in order to find the team to help me make change. I will always give him the utmost respect for that.’’
Sir Ngatata’s contributions to New Zealand were recognised when he was made a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order (QSO) in 2001, and a Knight Grand Companion of The New Zealand Order of Merit (GNZM) in 2008.
The previous government left to its successors the decision on whether or not to strip him of his knighthood following his conviction.
A spokesman for Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said this week the Cabinet office had confirmed an honour could not be cancelled once a person had died.
‘‘No further steps can therefore be taken in this matter.’’
A statement from Sir Ngatata’s whanau and Rev Charles Waldegrave described him as an ‘‘active and passionate worker for Maori [who] supported many people who wanted to provide better lives for their whanau’’.
‘‘From a young age, Ngatata travelled throughout Taranaki, Whanganui and Ratana Pa at his father’s side absorbing the accounts of injustice from his elders.
‘‘He felt the mamae [hurt] of his people early on and his life would be defined by the fight for justice and fairness for his people.
‘‘His kaumatua experienced the Taranaki land wars, and many were also subject to mock trials, media vilification and wrongful imprisonment.
‘‘He actively fought against land sales and mismanagement of Maori Reserve Lands by successive governmentappointed Maori trustees.
‘‘He worked with others to abolish the discriminatory Maori Reserved Land laws that bound Maori landowners to perpetually leased lands at peppercorn rentals.
‘‘He also led the Muru Raupatu Waitangi Tribunal claims processes in Taranaki and Wellington, laying the foundations for the Treaty settlements enjoyed by those groups today.’’
It was ‘‘very sad the latter years of his life were drowned unsuccessfully defending himself from accusations of fraud’’, the statement read.
‘‘A considerable proportion of those who were informed and understood the complexities of the case, seriously question that judgement. As with other cases of legal doubt in New Zealand, his side of the story will emerge in time.
‘‘His whanau and supporters will continue to fight to right the injustices he endured in his latter years. Just as he spent his life fighting to right the injustices suffered by his tupuna and many others, his family will fight to right this one.’’
Sir Ngatata died at his Korokoro home on October 17, surrounded by loving whanau. He is survived by five children, 35 mokopuna and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, whanaunga and friends.