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Alan Ward

1935 – 2014

New Zealand historian

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About Alan Ward

Lived 1935 – 2014 (aged 79). Alan Ward was a New Zealand historian.

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

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Australian National University, Victoria University of Wellington, La Trobe University, University of Newcastle (Australia)
Employers
La Trobe University, University of Newcastle, University of Papua New Guinea
Awards
Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit; Honorary doctor of Victoria University of Wellington; New Zealand Order of Merit
Also known as
Alan Dudley Ward

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Alan Ward's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Alan Ward?

New Zealand historian (1935-2014)

When was Alan Ward born?

Alan Ward was born on 11 June 1935 in Gisborne.

When did Alan Ward die?

Alan Ward died on 12 December 2014 in Newcastle.

What was Alan Ward's occupation?

Alan Ward was a historian.

What nationality was Alan Ward?

Alan Ward was New Zealand.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Alan Ward

· Wikidata: Q18763781

· DBpedia: Alan Ward (historian)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Alan Ward. https://biography.guide/alan-ward/

MLA: "Alan Ward." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/alan-ward/.

Chicago: "Alan Ward." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/alan-ward/.

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