The Wiremu Maihi Te Rangikāheke Memorial Lecture celebrates the life and works of an outstanding Māori scholar and historian. Te Rangikāheke’s extraordinary contribution to our history remains in a remarkable collection of manuscripts, which have inspired and supported the work of scholars over many generations. He is considered to be one of our first ‘professional historians’, whose influence has stretched far beyond his own era. This lecture honours that contribution, and provides an opportunity to hear from present-day experts in regard to the issues of our time as they relate to Māori and iwi history. In the long term, this memorial lecture provides a setting within which Māori and iwi history is the focus. It creates an opportunity to hear from leaders in the field regarding their perspectives and research as it pertains to, challenges, and furthers Māori and iwi historical scholarship in this country. Thus, the lecture performs an important function in challenging the accepted norms and centrality of New Zealand history by amplifying Māori, iwi, and indigenous approaches to and understandings of the past.  It was instigated by Te Pouhere Kōrero and first delivered at the New Zealand Historical Association conference in 2011.

2025: Arapine Walker, Te Rangikaheke Bidois, Toro Bidois, Akuira Walker, Sandy Walker and Te Whai Matauranga Smith, ‘‘Kāore he mea i waiho noa e ōku tupuna te tini raupeka kia waimarie ai.’ (‘My ancestors did not leave things to chance, they did things with purpose and for good reason.’)

2023: Dr Liana MacDonald

2021: Peter Meihana, ‘Mai Rotorua ki Te Hoiere tae no ki Ngā Wairau o Ruatere‘

2019: Alice Te Punga Somerville, explored “some of the ways that histories can be “out of order:” broken; in the wrong sequence; and interrupting the accepted rules”.

2017: Monty Soutar, ‘The 28th (Maori) Battalion: What Lessons Can We Learn?’

2015: Ani Mikaere, ‘Contending with the weight of history: power, privilege and the predilection for presumption’

2013: Atholl Anderson, ‘Exploring patterns of long-range migration in Māori tradition’

2011: Dr Apirana Mahuika, speaking on contemporary issues as they relate to Māori and iwi history.