Robert Edwards MNZM, former chair of the Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board, has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi

The honorary doctorate in Māori Development recognises Dr Edwards’ lifelong commitment to the governance and leadership of Whakatōhea, his advocacy for te reo and tikanga Māori, and his decades of service to the wider Ōpōtiki community.

Charles Tawhiao, chair of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi Trust and the Ngāi Te Rangi Settlement Trust, was also awarded an honorary doctorate in Māori Development.

They were honoured at a graduation ceremony in Whakatāne on Friday, which was preceded by the wānanga’s annual Gown and Town hikoi.

This year over 2000 tohu were conferred across 31 qualifications with 250 graduates attending the ceremony in person to receive their tohu.

At almost 95, “Uncle Robert” as he is affectionately called, remains active within Whakatōhea and highly respected.

He is a former long-time chair of the trust board, taking over in 2006 and helping establish the Whakatōhea Fisheries Trust, which unlocked 5000 hectares of new marine space for Ōpōtiki.

He stood alongside his people when they went to parliament to witness the final reading of the claims settlement bill, and is credited with helping the trust board grow from humble beginnings into the organisation it is today.

In 2025, he was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to the community and governance.

In a social media post celebrating the newly conferred doctorate, Whakatōhea said Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi had acknowledged Dr Edwards’ involvement in tribal leadership and governance meant the future of the iwi was assured and would endure.

“In that spirit, this award was conferred not for Robert alone, but in recognition of the iwi itself.

“From the farm gate to the floor of Parliament, Uncle Robert has walked a long road for Whakatōhea steadily, quietly, always with his people held at the front of his mind.”

The post brought plenty of congratulatory comments.

“What a great leader! So positive strong and humble. Pushing through countless challenges over the years and leading his iwi forward,” said one person.

“ … you are an excellent tauira for our younger generation Uncle Robert ... showing how it’s done not just talking about it,” said another.

A further commenter summed him up – “Truly a Whakatōhea legend”.