Archie Taiaroa


Sir Archie John Te Atawhai Taiaroa was a New Zealand Māori leader who affiliated to the Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Apa and Ngāti Maru iwi. He chaired both the Whanganui River Maori Trust Board and Te Ohu Kaimoana, the latter for five years. In the 2003 Queen's Birthday Honours, Taiaroa was appointed a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to Māori. Following the reintroduction of titular honours by the New Zealand government, he accepted re-designation as a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2009 Special Honours. He died of a stroke in Hamilton on 21 September 2010.