Draft:Tom Roa

Tom Roa
Born	Thomas Charles Roa (1953-01-10) January 10, 1953 Ōtorohanga, Waikato, New Zealand
Alma mater	Ōtorohanga College Victoria University of Wellington Auckland College of Education University of Waikato

Thomas Charles Roa (born January 10, 1953) is a prominent Māori academic, leader, historian, writer, and advocate for indigenous education and language revitalisation in Aotearoa (New Zealand). He is well-known for his service and contribution to the promotion and preservation of Te Reo Māori (Māori language) and culture and is one of the founders of the Te Wiki o te Reo Māori movement.

Early life and education

Roa was born on January 10, 1953, in Ōtorohanga, a small town situated in the Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island. His parents are Ngahina Robert Roa and Mahuri Pounamu Kite, better known as Te Raukura or Kura. Roa grew up immersed in Māori culture and language, which deeply influenced his later academic and professional endeavors.

He was educated at Otorohanga South School and Otorohanga College, where he became the first Māori to be Head Boy. He then went on to attend Victoria University and Auckland Teacher's Training College. Roa pursued his education with a focus on Māori studies and linguistics. In 2016, he received his PhD at the University of Waikato. His PhD questioned and examined theories and practices of Māori to English, translation and interpretation of language.

Career, activism and community work

Whilst at Victoria University, Roa joined the Te Reo Māori Society, which were for reviving the Māori language. Roa was part of the Wellington chapter of Ngā Tamatoa and with them, he marched to parliament and presented the petition for Te Reo Māori in 1972.

After attending Auckland Teacher's Training College, Roa spent time teaching in the North and in Auckland. He spend some time at Hillary College in Ōtara, with Garfield Johnson as the principal. This school became the frontier of Māori and Pacific education. Roa then went on to start Kōkiri Te Rāhuitanga Kōhanga Reo, which elders and families in the Ōtara area were supporters of. Roa went on to start a bilingual unit at the local primary school before securing a role at Queen Victoria School for Māori Girls. He later became the deputy principal there and started an immersion unit. After 10 years at Queen Victoria School for Māori Girls, Roa secured a role at Auckland University of Technology, assisting with Māori learning success. Roa also built a relationship with Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hoani Waititi Marae where he became the Chairman for the Board of Trustees, and contributed to the establishment of Wharekura (Māori immersion secondary school).

Roa then moved back to Waikato, where he came involved with the Tūrangawaewae Marae, the community and Waikato-Tainui finances. Roa was chair of Ngā Pae o Mumahara, which helped coordinate activities commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Waikato invasion in 2013-2014. Roa is well-respected leader, elder, historian and is a Professor in the University of Waikato's Te Pua Wananga ki te Ao - Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies.

Publications

Roa is a prolific author with works that have contributed greately to Māori literature and indigenous studies. His writings explore themes relating to Māori identity, language and culture, which provides valuable insights for the many readers as well as demonstrated his commitment to preserving and promoting the Māori language

Tukua:he tikanga Māori published in 1987 provides an introduction to things Māori (Māori customs). It looks at different cultural values and highlights their importance in Māoritanga.

Published in 2015, Maiea te Tupua, Maiea te Tawhito is a collection of stories shared by descendants of soldiers who served in World War One, originating from the Waikato-Maniapoto tribes of Aotearoa. The soldiers celebrated in this publication are Te Rauangaanga Mahuta, Kohatu Hari Hemara Wahanui, Tuheka Taonui Hetet, Te Rehe Amohanga, Rotohiko Michael Jones, Joseph Ormsby and William Takoro Kohi. This book shares insights into their experiences, as well as the intertwined histories of Māori and World War One.

Alongside Corey Wilson and Robbie Neha, Ōrākau: E Whawhai Tonu Ana Tātou was published in 2021. The book tells the history of the 31st of March 1864 when British forces equating over 1400 soldiers, attacked the small pā (stronghold of a tribe) of Ōrākau. This attack took place over three days and is one of the most well-known New Zealand Land Wars.

Personal life

Roa is married to Robyn Clark of Ngāti Haua, Ngāti Koroki and Ngāti Wairere tribes. They have four daughters who have also reached academic success in their respective fields.