Whai Ngata, New Zealand Māori broadcaster, journalist and lexicographer, Died at 74

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Tanara Whairiri Kitawhiti “Whai”Ngata was born in 1942 and died on April 3, 2016.

He was a Māori broadcaster, journalist, and lexicographer.

Ngata worked for Radio New Zealand from 1975 to 1983, before moving to Television New Zealand.

In 2008, Whai Ngata led the Māori department at TVNZ until his retirement.

Whai Ngata was a co-writer for the English–Māori dictionary credited to his father Hōri Mahue Ngata, the grandson of Sir Āpirana Ngata.

During the 2007 Birthday Honours, Whai was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori broadcasting and television.

He left behind his mother Mihihara Ngata (née Ngarimu), wife Geraldine and his three sons and their families.

Whai Ngata passed away at 74 yrs old in Auckland overnight on 2/3 April 2016.