A Tribute to Pere Maitai , Te Whāiti Nui Ā Toi Scholar, Broadcaster, Leader, Friend

The Lindisfarne College community remembers with deep affection and gratitude the life of Pere Maitai one of our distinguished Old Boys (1973–1975), and a treasured supporter of the College. Pere was a man of warmth, humility, and conviction, whose life spoke not only of success, but of lasting significance. His legacy is etched into the heart of the College, particularly through his leadership and advocacy for the Te Whāiti Nui Ā Toi Scholarship and his enduring love for the whānau it created.

 

As one of the first recipients of the Te Whāiti Nui Ā Toi Scholarship, Pere arrived at Lindisfarne from Nūhaka in the early 1970s, stepping into a world far removed from his own, at a time when few Māori boys walked the halls of what was then a Pākehā-dominated school. The transition was not without challenge, but Pere flourished, quickly becoming a quiet pioneer. He would go on to forge an influential career in Māori broadcasting and television, helping to amplify the stories of his people with integrity, insight and cultural sensitivity. As former Rector Ken MacLeod reflected, “He helped open the world and challenges of Māori to the country in a respectful, wise, purposeful and relational way.”

An example of this was Pere’s work as cultural advisor on the acclaimed documentary July’s Legacy, which addressed smoking-related illness among Māori women. Pere facilitated access to people and places, respectfully guiding the production team through tikanga Māori, ensuring the final piece honoured the story and the community it represented.

For his close friend and fellow Te Whāiti Scholar, Reverend Allan Hawea, it was Pere’s loyalty and dedication to the College, and to those who followed in their footsteps, that stood out most. “He had a way of engaging and encouraging old boys, staff, and whānau to stay involved,” Allan recalls. “He would phone people, talk to people, encourage people. That was his way.” Pere made it his mission to reconnect former scholars with the College and to support the scholarship kaupapa in both word and action, turning up, speaking up, and offering quiet encouragement where it mattered most.

Whether it was over a deep kōrero or a shared glass of merlot, his preferred drop, Pere's company was marked by good humour, thoughtfulness, and a sense of genuine care. “A great and humble communicator,” Allan said. “He was a special friend. I miss him.”

In his later years, Pere served as Chairman of the Te Whāiti Nui Ā Toi Scholarship Committee, stepping into the role when Sir Rodney Gallen’s health declined. As Conrad Waitoa, a current committee member, shared: “Pere carried a quiet strength that never sought recognition but whose influence was deeply felt.” He understood that supporting Māori boys at Lindisfarne was not just about providing financial aid, but walking alongside them, encouraging them to stand tall in their identity. “He balanced high expectations with immense compassion and a formal dress code,” Conrad smiled. Pere held firm to the values of whānau, whakapapa, and the responsibility that comes with opportunity.

In a moment that perfectly captured his style, Pere once received a call from Sir Rodney, informing him it was time to serve the scholarship. Pere tried to respond, only for Sir Rodney to end the call with “You start today.” Years later, Pere made the same call to Conrad and fellow Old Boy Andre Bell. “It was one-sided,” Conrad said. “I had no say. That was Pere, humble, decisive, always putting the kaupapa first.”

Pere's deep pride in the success of his fellow Te Whāiti alumni was never more evident than when he attended the 70th Reunion and watched The Honourable Justice Sir Joe Williams, New Zealand’s first Māori Supreme Court Judge, deliver a powerful address. Pere was beaming with pride. It was at this event that Sir Joe gifted the College a whakataukī that Pere loved and that now hangs in our  Assembly Chapel Hall:

He Motutapu, he whare wānanga
He whare wānanga he māra toa i
Whakatupuria hei ara ngākau ki te ao
A Sacred Isle is a house of learning
A house of learning is a garden to grow warriors,
for they are the highway to the heart of the world

That whakataukī captures the very essence of Pere’s life. He was a warrior of words, of wisdom, of wairua, nurturing others, especially rangatahi Māori, to find their place in the world and to walk forward with pride.

To his whānau, to those who served alongside him, and to all who were shaped by his guidance and aroha, we offer our heartfelt thanks. Pere was a true son of Lindisfarne. His life reminds us that a good man does not chase acclaim, but builds legacy through quiet deeds, enduring relationships, and steadfast service.

Moe mai rā e te rangatira. Moe mai, moe mai, moe mai rā.