Rangi Matamua

Professor Rangi Matamua holds the position of assistant dean postgraduate in the Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies at Waikato University. He is heavily involved with Māori postgraduate studies and supports Māori students to complete master’s and PhD degrees. Professor Matamua has a background in Māori language, Māori broadcasting and Māori customs and traditions. He has led research endeavours including Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden Fund projects, Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga projects, and a number of government department research initiatives.

Professor Matamua is acknowledged as a leading expert in the field of Māori astronomy. He has delivered many Māori astronomy keynote addresses and public lectures throughout the country. In 2017 he launched his first book, Matariki: The Star Of The Year. A graduate of Te Panekiretanga o te Reo Māori and a member of the Society for Māori Astronomy Research and Traditions (SMART), Professor Matamua aims to revitalise Māori

There are often two sides to a leader. Some leaders refuse to compromise their position, and we find that appealing to us. At other times, leaders know when to compromise and to make a sacrifice for the greater good. That’s probably the more difficult element of leadership: knowing when to compromise.