“Cheeky darkies” better represented*

“Cheeky darkies” better represented*

Paul Holmes heart-broken

The University of Otago has appointed Tuari Potiki as its new Director of Māori Development. This will put Mr Potiki in charge of Māori development activities at the University, as well as maintaining the University’s relationship with local iwi.

Mr Potiki has previously held a senior role on the Alcohol Advisory Council and worked in the health, education, and justice sectors.

University Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne welcomed Mr Potiki’s appointment, saying “Tuari Potiki has long-established and excellent working relationships with iwi and Māori communities throughout the country. He is very well placed to enhance Otago’s ongoing commitment to contributing to Māori development at University, regional, national and international levels.”

Mr Potiki, who is of Kai Tahu, Kati Mamoe and Waitaha descent, is excited to take up the position. He hopes to further strengthen “Māori development and the realisation of Māori aspirations”, and told Radio New Zealand that he expects his appointment to provide Ngai Tahu with a direct line of communication to the University.

“I’m also looking forward to working closely again with Ngai Tahu at both the local runanga and iwi level, and extending the existing links the University has forged with other Māori communities and providers.”

Mr Potiki intends to “build on this solid groundwork and keep the momentum going. This will involve guiding strategy and policy development and implementation while fostering high-quality working relationships with colleagues throughout the University.”

He is optimistic in relation to the position of Māori at the University. “In a relatively short time Otago has achieved a great deal in its efforts to advance the University’s contributions to Māori development and the realisation of Māori aspirations. I intend to build on this solid groundwork and keep the momentum going.”

Mr. Potiki will begin his new role at the University on 10 July.




[CORRECTION: The print version, and original online version of this story incorrectly identified the Director of Maori Development position as being as new role, when in fact it has already been established for several years. Critic apologises for our mistake.]

*APOLOGY: Critic wishes to apologise for the headline of this article. It was an attempt to once again tar Mr Holmes with his own racial epithet, however, we now realise that it was inappropriate, and did not link at all with the content of the article. We apologise unreservedly to anyone offended, and will work harder in future when we seek satire and entertainment.
This article first appeared in Issue 14, 2012.
Posted 8:39pm Sunday 3rd June 2012 by Staff Reporter.