Acknowledging the passing of Moana Jackson

Kua hinga te tōtara i Te Waonui a Tāne. Moe mai rā e te rangatira Moana Jackson.

We acknowledge the passing of Moana Jackson, one of Aotearoa’s preeminent legal scholars, a global leader on indigenous rights, and a beloved Rangatira who encouraged, inspired and empowered many in Te Ao Māori, the legal community, and Aotearoa, New Zealand.

His ground-breaking report He Whaipaanga Hou – A New Perspective published in 1988, investigated the criminal justice system’s bias against Māori, placing this within the broader context of the social, economic, and cultural issues that have shaped New Zealand society. It was a landmark report that led to much public debate.

At the Michael and Suzanne Borrin Foundation we are proud to support the sequel to this report, to which Moana had dedicated his last years. Since 2018 Moana, and his team, Anne Waapu and Ngawai McGregor have met with over 2000 people from all walks of life, at over 80 hui around the country. The report, which will be published in due course, will elevate these voices, and will be part of his enduring legacy.

Ngā manaakitanga
Tupe Solomon-Tanoa’i
Chief Philanthropic Officer