Piripi Walker

Ngāti Raukawa ki te tonga

Kaupapa kōrero: Toi Te Kupu - He Kōrero mō Ngā Kaiwhakapūmau i Te Reo

Piripi was trained as a Maori Language Producer, Radio New Zealand from 1982-1987 in the Continuing Education Unit. He was manager of Te Upoko o Te Ika Wellington Māori Language Radio station from 1987-1991 and remains Trustee and Deputy Chair of the station’s Trust Board in 2021. He was secretary of Ngā Kaiwhakapūmau i te Reo (The Wellington Māori Language Board) for a number of Tribunal and Court cases relating to the Maori language, and was elected Deputy Chair in 2016, and Chair in 2021. He worked full-time as Director of Language Studies, and directed the Maori Laws and Philosphy Programme, at Te Wananga o Raukawa in Otaki from 1992-1996 and works as a translator, language teacher and editor. Piripi was a member of the Electoral College (representing Te Tauihu o Ngā Wananga) which elected the Maori world’s Board members on Maori Television, and after his resignation from that College, was elected to the national Board of Maori Television (MTS) in 2012-2017. He was appointed Deputy Chair of the MTS Board by Te Pūtahi Paho and the Minister of Maori Affairs in 2015. He is active in the spectrum claims for Ngā Kaiwhakapūmau i Te Reo, Chair of the Electoral College for Te Huarahi Tika Spectrum Trust, and is Chair of the Interim Maori Spectrum Commission Trust.