Wintec academic wins award
Kaumatua Hare Puke was remembered during an emotional ceremony at the opening of Wintec’s new marae.
An emotional Dr Peter Maulder was presented with the Hare Puke Leadership Scholarship at a breakfast ceremony following the opening of the new Wintec marae.
Dr Maulder, who is of Ngati Pahauwera and Kahungunu descent, struggled to hold back tears as he was awarded the honour.
Speaking in front of his family, Hamilton City councillors, Maori King Tuheitia and Wintec staff, he said he was humbled and proud to have been selected from a list of Wintec applicants.
He acknowledged Hare Puke as “an exceptional man with tremendous mana” and hoped he could follow in his footsteps.
Dr Maulder graduated as a Doctor of Philosophy in 2011 and was selected for his outstanding work in the area of sports science and bio-mechanics.
He is passionate about helping Maori communities and Maori health providers and will use the $15,000 scholarship to attend leadership workshops to further his career.
The scholarship was established to recognise and honour the contribution Hare Puke made to Wintec during his 13-year tenure as kaumatua and is awarded to Maori Wintec academic staff members.
It was presented to Maulder by members of the Puke family including his youngest son Wiremu.
