Kauma¯tua honoured for his mahi
EIT thank Matiu Eru for his service with special taonga
EIT’s respected Hawke’s Bay kauma¯tua Matiu Eru has been honoured with a special award for his service to the institution at the Te Aho aMa¯ui graduation ceremony in Napier.
Reverend Eru (of Tuhoe descent) has been presented with the Tuakiri EIT Medal of Distinction, a special EIT award that recognises and acknowledges people who have made an outstanding contribution to the life of the Institution and the wider community. The medal was designed by EIT Professor, Sir Derek Lardelli.
The medal was established in 2013, following the merger of EIT Hawke’s Bay and Taira¯whiti Polytechnic (effective from January 1, 2011) and is named to honour and acknowledge the kauma¯tua from both institutions at the time – Tuhahine Joseph Northover (Hawke’s Bay) (Tua); and Henare Kohere (Kiri) Swann.
EIT CE Chris Collins said: “Tuakiri is also a Ma¯ori word that refers to our sense of identity, the essence of who you are, something that is very deep within. Mate atu he te¯te´ kura, Ara mai ra¯ he te¯te´ kura. As one chief passes, another lives on to lead. In these words, the essence of the medal is captured.”
Mr Collins paid tribute to Reverend Eru, saying he had been with EIT for more than 30 years, starting as a senior lecturer in Ma¯ori Studies and then kauma¯tua.
“His Rangatira chiefly status has lifted the reputation of our kura, and he is well loved by hundreds of past students. He married into Nga¯ti Kahungunu and has always been heavily involved in the community, which has always had a huge demand of his time.”
“He has been acknowledged by Nga¯ti Kahungunu iwi, hapu, wha¯nau and community.”
Mr Collins said that in 2014 he was awarded the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year as a Local Hero.
“In 2016 Napier City Council awarded him a Citizen Civic Award as they honoured him, particularly in his role as an Anglican minister, a kauma¯tua, a teacher and cultural advisor to the council and to the wider Eastern District of the New Zealand Police. In 2018 he was awarded a Queen’s Service Medal for dedicating 60 years of his life to tikanga Ma¯ori leadership and services into Hawke’s Bay.”
“Matiu has been our kauma¯tua here at EIT and even though he has returned to his hometown of Ruatoki, we are very grateful for the time he has given and for his huge heart and his love for us all. We congratulate him on this much deserved award.”
“And Matiu, personally from my role as chief executive, I have been greatly honoured to have had your advice, your leadership and your guidance that you have provided me and for that I deeply thank you.”
The award was given by Chrissy Hape, CEO of Nga¯ti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated, also EIT Board deputy chair; and Board chair Hilton Collier.