Haare Williams

Sir Haare Mahanga Te Wehinga Williams is a New Zealand educator, broadcaster and writer. He is described as a pioneer in Māori broadcasting, credited for his role in establishing a joint venture between Aotearoa Radio and the South Seas Film and Television School.

Early life and education

As a young child Williams was brought up by his grandparents at Ōhiwa Harbour, with them he was immersed in te reo Māori (the Māori language). Williams started school when he as eight and learnt English then. His grandparents had previously been at Te Urewera but were dispossessed by government actions.

His secondary school was Ōpōtiki College, and then Ardmore Teachers’ College where he graduated in 1955. Williams was the inaugural president of the organisation and stayed in the role for nine years.

In 1978, Radio New Zealand’s established a Māori station, Te Reo o Aotearoa, and Williams was the inaugural general manager.

In 1992 he stood for the Labour Party nomination for the seat of ahead of the , but lost out to regional councillor and former All Black Ken Gray. He has been the cultural advisor for Auckland City Council. Williams is part of Kotahi Rau Pukapuka, 'which aims to produce 100 great books in te reo Māori'. He was promoted to Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to Māori, literature and education, in the 2023 New Year Honours.