How did Sir Wira Gardiner Die: Sir Wira Gardiner, A soldier who rose to prominence as a public servant, serving as a founding director of the Waitangi Tribunal, has died at the age of 78.
Sir Wira Gardiner Cause of death
Sir Wira Gardiner, one of Moridom’s most respected figures, has died at the age of 78.
Gardiner (Ngati Awa, Ngati Pikiao, Whakathea, Te Whanau—Apanui) was a soldier who rose to prominence as a public servant, serving as a founding director of the Waitangi Tribunal.
He died at home in Gisborne, surrounded by his family.
Who was Sir Wira Gardiner?
Gardiner (Ngati Awa, Ngati Pikiao, Whakathea, Te Whanau—Apanui) was a soldier who rose to prominence as a public servant, serving as a founding director of the Waitangi Tribunal.
According to a family statement, he died at home with his family in Gisborne.
“There will be no tangihanga for Wira at the marae by his express wish that public health is prioritized and the demands on frontline workers are recognized,” the statement said.
“At some point in the future, when our country has returned to normalcy, we will gather to commemorate Wira’s death, recognize his contribution, and celebrate a good life well lived.”
His family expressed gratitude to the Kathleen Kilgour Centre in Whakatane, which provides radiation treatment for cancer patients.
Gardiner was born in Whakatane and attended Whakatane High School, Canterbury University, and King’s College, London.
Gardiner resigned as Oranga Tamariki’s acting CEO in October of last year after taking more than 4 weeks of medical leave.
He was appointed in February, following the resignation of embattled CEO Gráinne Moss.
His appointment came after months of controversy surrounding the agency’s controversial practice of “uplifting” predominantly Mori infants into state care.
Gardiner served in the army before becoming a public servant, serving as a founding director of the Waitangi Tribunal, founding head of the Iwi Transition Agency, and founding CEO of Te Puni Kokiri, the Ministry of Mori Development.
In addition to holding senior positions, the 78-year-old chaired the Tertiary Education Commission, the board of Te Papa Museum, and the Local Government Commission.
He was also a well-respected Crown mediator and treaty negotiator.
The University of Waikato bestowed an honorary doctorate on him in November of last year.
He was made a Knight of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2009 for his contribution and services to Mori. He is the author of seven books on subjects ranging from haka to the Mori Battalion and political biography.
In 2019, the retired professional soldier released the book Ake Ake Kia Kaha E! Forever Brave.
“This is probably the largest but also the simplest book I’ve ever had to write. I never had writer’s block or doubts, and my pen just kept flowing, metaphorically speaking “At the time, Gardiner stated.
In May 2016, he traveled to Greece and Crete to visit battle sites where the New Zealand Division fought in April and May 1941, attempting to match his book’s theory with the actual locations of the battles.
He was raised in Rotoiti by te reo-speaking parents but did not learn the language until he was in his forties. Later, he spoke openly about the difficulty and importance of mastering the language.
“My hapa, or sins, were numerous,” he told The Spinoff in December last year, “but the listeners, even though you could see them screwing up their faces, paid me the tribute of not saying ‘E Noho ki raro, kti ki te waha – sit down and shut up.”
Sir Wira Gardiner Death Cause
Gardiner’s wife, former National MP Hekia Parata, survives him. The couple had two kids.
He also had 3 other children from his earlier marriage, including film producer Ainsley Gardiner, to former MP Pauline Gardiner. He was also koro to a lot of mokopuna.
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