Alan Ward

Alan Dudley Ward (11 June 1935 – 12 December 2014) was a New Zealand historian, particularly known for his research into customary land tenure by Māori in New Zealand.

Biography Born in Gisborne, New Zealand in 1935, Ward was raised in rural Poverty Bay. Initially intending to be a school teacher, Ward attended Victoria University College and Auckland Teachers' College, but he was drawn to the subject of history and graduated Master of Arts with first-class honours from Victoria in 1958. His thesis was entitled The history of the East Coast Maori Trust.

Ward then spent a short period teaching, a year training for the Anglican priesthood, 10 months working in the New Zealand Department of External Affairs, and a time working on the wharves. For 18 years from 1987 he was a contract historian to the Waitangi Tribunal.

Honours In the 2009 New Year Honours, Ward was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to New Zealand history. Also in 2009 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Victoria University of Wellington.

Selected works