17 April 1996 Doctoral degree for Wahawaha Stirling a rare family double

Following in his father's footsteps, Ropata Wahawaha Stirling of Christchurch, the Upoko of the Otautahi Runaka (the Kai Tahu Tribal Council for Christchurch), has been awarded an honorary doctoral degree, acknowledging his scholarly stature in kaupapa Maori and contribution to the understanding of natural resources management within Aotearoa.

The degree, Doctor of Natural Resources, honoris causa, was conferred by Lincoln University at its Graduation Ceremony in Christchurch Town Hall on 19 April. It is only the fifth honorary doctorate presented by Lincoln University and the first in Natural Resources.

In being awarded the degree, Wahawaha Stirling has the rare distinction of following his father, Dr Eruera Stirling, who was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Auckland in 1983.

Born in Ruatoria, Wahawaha Stirling has tribal affiliations in both the North and South islands including Te Whanau a Maru o Te Whanau a Apanui, Ngati Hine Kehu o Te Rauru Nui a Toi, Ngati Umu Ariki, Te Whanau a Mate, Te Whanau a Ruataupare a Rakaiora o Ngati Porou, Kai Tuahuriri, Kati Huirapa, Kati Mamoe, Te Rapuwai me Waitaha hoki, and he has lived in Christchurch since returning from the Second World War in which he served with the 28th Maori Battalion.

Within the Otautahi Runaka he was groomed for succession by its then Upoko (head), Poua Mahuri Manawatu, and he subsequently became leader in the late 1950s following the death of Kitch Hopa.

The Runaka has always been closely concerned with the provision of social services and Dr Stirling has been heavily involved in that area of activity for the past 45 years. Since the 1980s he has been the South Island Maori Adviser for both the Minister of Social Welfare and the Director-General of Social Welfare.

He is also prominent in the affairs of the Maori Battalion Association and the Returned Services Association, and is a highly respected kaumatua for numerous groups and organisations in Christchurch and Canterbury, including Lincoln University.

In 1993 he was awarded the Queen's Service Medal for his work in social services and for the Maori community.

In the late 1980s when resource management law reforms came to the fore, Dr Stirling and other leading scholars and elders of Aotearoa, played a fundamental role in formulating the Maori component of what became the 1991 Resource Management Act.

At that time the late Director of Lincoln University's Centre for Resource Management, Dr John Hayward, invited Dr Stirling to accept the role of kaumatua for the Centre, and he relied heavily on his traditional knowledge to help the Centre come to terms with natural resources issues within the context of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Dr Stirling's stature was subsequently acknowledged by Lincoln as a whole when he was appointed Kaumatua across the full institution.

In presenting the citation for the doctorate, Lincoln’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Roger Field, said few could match Wahawaha Stirling's expertise in natural resources, Maori resource management, traditional practices of conservation and the Treaty of Waitangi and the University was proud to honour a man so distinguished in the tradition of Maori scholarship.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand.