‘I’m very honoured’: Māori education and community advocate awarded ONZM

Dr Te Tuhi Robust, a distinguished Māori education and community development leader, has been recognised for his exceptional service to the Māori people and the education sector.

Robust was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in the 2025 New Year Honours list.

Robust expressed pride and humility, saying it triggered a special family connection.

“I find it difficult to talk about it because you don’t expect things like this to happen to you.

“But I’m very honoured because my grandfather, he received the equivalent award, which in those days was the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire), but he didn’t get to enjoy that because he passed before it was awarded.”

While Robust believed there were more deserving recipients, he hoped the recognition would inspire others.

“I’ve always thought it’s all that lot that are great sportsmen and everything else … I never thought that whatever I had experienced was going to be recognised in this manner.

“No matter what you’re doing and if you’re able to contribute, don’t think it goes unnoticed.”

Robust said preserving cultural heritage and leaving a legacy for future generations were important.

Te Tuhi Robust with his mokopunas Ella and Amiria. Photo/supplied

“There will always be points in time that somebody in time will benefit from your experience.

“Our mokopuna, they’ll benefit from this, I’m sure, in their own way. It’ll give them something to aim toward, should they wish to.”

Background and heritage

Robust was born in Kawakawa and grew up in Kaikohekohe, Northland, where he attended local primary and secondary schools.

“Whānau, marae, community, and sports” were key elements of his upbringing," said Robust, now 68.

Robust’s whakapapa included Ngāti Whakaeke, Ngāti Tautahi, and Ngāti Ue, and he also has connections to Sāmoa, China, and Scotland.

“My grandfather came out as a Scotsman. He married and had one child that I’m aware of. So he’s Scottish, Sāmoan Chinese, and that child came out to New Zealand and married my grandmother, who was Māori of full blood.”

His parents, Charles Robust and Pou Takakau, raised him alongside eight siblings.

“My dad was a carpenter, and my mum raised the family. Dad provided and mum provided in a different way, we all just got on with it and did the best we could in our respective fields.”

Whānau photo for Te Tuhi Robust and wife Ros. One son-in-law is absent. Photo/source.

Robust and his wife currently live on their farm in Ngāti Hine, near Kawakawa in the Bay of Islands.

They have five children: one biological child and four stepchildren.

Early beginnings

After leaving his home in Kaikohe, Robust attended North Shore Teachers Training College from 1975 to 1977 before becoming a full-time teacher in 1980.

He recalled the excitement of his first appointment after years of working on the farm.

“The first letter I received told me that I was fully appointed on my first year of teaching and to receive the fantastic salary of $5300. It was the first sort of salary I’d received ever.

“I was working on farms right up till then and you get paid $8 an hour at that time, and we’re haymaking … that was a sign of the times.”

A lifelong passion

Robust has over 50 years of professional experience with contributions to education (primary to tertiary levels), health, land use, and the Treaty of Waitangi.

He has held various education management positions, including Principal of Motatau Bilingual School (1987-1989), Associate Professor at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi (2009-2019), and Head of School for Undergraduate Studies (2014-2015).

Te Tuhi Robust and wife Ros live on their farm near Kawakawa, Bay of Islands. Photo/supplied

Robust earned a Diploma in Teaching, a Bachelor of Education, and a Master's with Honours before completing his doctorate in 2005.

He retired in 2019 as Associate Professor Tai Tokerau at Te Whare Wānanga Awanuiārangi to focus more on community development.

He maintained connections with his students and colleagues and looked fondly at the ones still in the profession.

“There are not many people left in the profession that I started with.

“It’s a very difficult profession now but it shaped me right through to maintaining contact with people who I was boarding with, flatting with, playing sport with over the many years.

“I am still in contact with a number of the children I used to teach [at Balmoral Intermediate], or they find me and hound me, and we have a good laugh and enjoy the successes that they’ve had in their family and continue to.”

Robust has been a tireless advocate for kaupapa Māori education, which integrates Māori values, perspectives, and language into all levels of learning.

His involvement with Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga (Māori Centre of Research Excellence) was instrumental in bridging cultural gaps within tertiary institutions and creating supportive environments for Māori students.

Te Tuhi Robust's mokopunas Amiria, Lily-Huia, and Ella. Photo/supplied

He also collaborated with international institutions such as the University of British Columbia, exchanging knowledge and experiences to enrich indigenous education globally.

Community kaupapa

Robust’s work in community service and sharing of knowledge is ongoing.

“I am continuing to contribute to organisations with a broad range of experience-based skills and attributes to a high level peculiar to governance, management, and operational activity. This background is based on kaupapa Māori/Māori philosophy and practice,” he said.

“I am a trustee on tribal and whanau trusts whose activity includes iwi/tribal development that specifically focuses on its relationship to the Crown and iwi.”

As Chairperson of the Parahirahi Ngāwha Waiariki Trust, he led the refurbishment of the culturally significant Te Waiariki Ngāwha Springs.

He is also a research historian for the 28th Māori Battalion Association (A Company Group) and represented them on the Ngarimu Scholarship Fund Board.

In 2007, Robust received the National Māori Academic Excellence Award.