Tō Mātou Tāhuhu Kōrero | Our History

The centre is named in honour of the late Sir James Henare, Tai Tokerau kaumātua and Ngāti Hine leader.

Sir James Henare was an instrumental supporter of Ngāti Whātua at the time of their Treaty Claim in the 1980s concerning their lands at Ōrākei. Ngāti Whātua kaumātua wanted to recognise this support and his general leadership in Iwi affairs. They approached Lady Henare and his whānau to ask if they would support his name being bestowed on the new research centre at the University. And so the centre name honours his leadership and the relationship between Ngāti Whātua and his people, Ngāti Hine.

From September 1991, hui were held in Tai Tokerau and Auckland to discuss the research needs of the tribal groups in this region. A proposal was put to Tai Tokerau representatives that The University of Auckland – with researchers and expertise across many faculties and disciplines – could assist. The key question was how.

Following these meetings, Professor Sir Hugh Kawharu and Dr Margaret Mutu from the University’s Māori Studies Department prepared a research framework concerning development issues, cultural and commercial asset analysis, social challenges and models relevant to Tai Tokerau people.

Further discussion took place with Sir Colin Maiden, the Vice-Chancellor, and Chancellor Sir Ian Barker. Sir Ian accepted the challenge articulated at one of the gatherings by Dame Mira Szászy: “What has Waikato [University] got that Auckland hasn’t?” The rhetorical answer was: a Māori research centre.

As a result of the many discussions, Professor Sir Hugh Kawharu was asked by Sir Colin Maiden to prepare a proposal. Twelve months later, in December 1992, the University Council approved Auckland’s first university-based Māori research centre to be established.