“Guide Maggie” to posthumously receive Oxford degree

Kāore te aroha ki tō tātau kōkara

Unceasing is the love we have for our mother

The groundbreaking work of one of Rotorua’s most celebrated guides is being recognised nearly a century after her death, with the University of Oxford posthumously awarding a Masters of Philosophy in Anthropology to Mākereti Papakura – also known as Guide Maggie.

Mākereti Papakura (Tūhourangi, Te Arawa) was born in Matatā in 1873, moving to Te Whakarewarewa Valley after secondary school and eventually training to be a guide under Guide Sophia Hinerangi.

International media attention came when she hosted the high-profile visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall (late King George V and Queen Mary) at Te Whakarewarewa in 1901.

After touring a musical group to Sydney and then London, Mākereti moved to England before World War I, and commenced studies in anthropology at Oxford in 1922. She is still believed to be the first indigenous women to study at the University.

Mākereti died suddenly in April 1930, just a few weeks before she was due to present her thesis. Whānau members and scholars have advocated for her degree to be awarded ever since. The degree will be awarded at a special ceremony at Oxford at the end of September.

Tūhourangi Tribal Authority Chair, Kirikowhai Mikaere, says the announcement is a thrilling development.

“Like many others of her time, Mākereti’s mahi here at home and around the world has long been an inspiration to our people.

“No matter where she went or what she did, Mākereti was always conscious of her whakapapa and responsibilities to Tūhourangi, immortalising our culture and traditions – from a wāhine perspective – through her research.

“To see her work finally recognised in this way is hugely significant for Tūhourangi and Aotearoa, and is an enormous credit to her whānau and so many others who have advocated on her behalf over the past 95 years,” Ms Mikaere says.

“Even nearly 100 years on from her sudden passing, Mākereti continues to remind us of the strength and determination of our people, and the contributions we make in the world, every day.”