Draft:Reina Whatiri



Reina Ann Whaitiri

Reina Ann Whaitiri (born 1943) is a significant New Zealand Māori scholar, researcher, and editor. Whaitiri grew up in Waimangu, Rotorua -- New Zealand. She is greatly recognized for her contributions to Māori and Pacific literature. Whaitiri is affiliated with the Ngāi Tahu iwi.

Early Life and Education

Reina Whaitiri was born in Auckland, New Zealand. Throughout her secondary schooling years, Whaitiri attended St Mary's Collegiate School in Stratford and St Hilda's Collegiate School in Dunedin.

After high school, Reina stayed in Christchurch and worked at a post office, and after that -- she moved to Auckland and gained experience in various jobs. She travelled the world and also lived in Europe and Australia for a few years.

Later, Reina came back to New Zealand and pursued her higher education at the University of Auckland, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1984 and a Master of Arts with First Class Honors in English in 1986. She also received a Diploma of Teaching from the Auckland College of Education in 1987 (E-Tangata) (Komako).

Academic Career

Whaitiri began her teaching career at Aorere College, where she taught from 1987 to 1989. She later joined the University of Auckland, where she developed and taught important courses in the Wellesley Programme, an initiative aimed at preparing students for tertiary study.

Whaitiri served as a Senior Tutor in English at the University of Auckland and was the coordinator for the Wellesley Programme (Komako).

Contributions to Literature

Reina Whaitiri has co-edited several significant anthologies of Māori and Pacific literature. Notable works include:

Puna Wai Kōrero: An Anthology of Māori Poetry in English (with Robert Sullivan)

Mauri Ola: Contemporary Polynesian Poems in English (with Albert Wendt and Robert Sullivan)

Whetu Moana: Contemporary Polynesian Poems in English (with Albert Wendt and Robert Sullivan) (Auckland University Press) (NZ Poetry Shelf).

Whaitiri has also contributed essays and articles to various journals and edited volumes, including "Growing Up Māori," edited by Witi Ihimaera.

Advocacy and Influence

A strong advocate for Māori women's voices in literature, Whaitiri co-edited Te Pua, a journal dedicated to Māori and Pasifika women's writing. Her research interests include poetry and the equity and foundation programs at the tertiary level.

Whaitiri has been involved in numerous projects aimed at promoting the significance of culture and literature both within New Zealand and internationally.

Personal Life

Reina Whaitiri has a close working relationship with her partner, Albert Wendt, a well-known Samoan writer. Together, they have taught and collaborated on several literary projects, including their tenure at the University of Hawai'i, Manoa.

Reina Whatiri and her partner are currently retired and live a happy life in their house, located in Auckland.

Selected Works


 * Puna Wai Kōrero: An Anthology of Māori Poetry in English (co-edited with Robert Sullivan)
 * Mauri Ola: Contemporary Polynesian Poems in English (co-edited with Albert Wendt and Robert Sullivan)
 * Whetu Moana: Contemporary Polynesian Poems in English (co-edited with Albert Wendt and Robert Sullivan)
 * Growing Up Māori (contributed with an essay).