Muru Walters (16 January 1935 – 14 February 2024) was a New Zealand author, master carver, broadcaster, artist, rugby union player and Māori Anglican bishop. [1] He was the first Pīhopa (bishop) of Te Pīhopatanga o Te Upoko o Te Ika from his consecration on 7 March 1992 until his retirement in 2018. [2]
Muru Walters was born in Kaitaia. [3] He affiliated to the Te Rarawa and Te Aupōuri iwi. [1] A talented rugby player, Walters represented New Zealand Māori, and won the Tom French Cup for the Māori rugby union player of the year in 1957. [4] He studied at Auckland Teachers' College. After working in arts and crafts education in schools, he became a lecturer in art at Dunedin Teachers' College. In 1980, Walters completed a master's degree on Māori archaeology at the University of Otago. [5] He was later a lecturer in Māori Studies at St John's Theological College in Auckland. [3] In October 2020, Walters was made a Life Fellow of Selwyn College Dunedin. [6]
Walters died at his home in Mangawhai on 14 February 2024, at the age of 89. [7] [8]
Muru Walters (16 January 1935 – 14 February 2024) was a New Zealand author, master carver, broadcaster, artist, rugby union player and Māori Anglican bishop. [1] He was the first Pīhopa (bishop) of Te Pīhopatanga o Te Upoko o Te Ika from his consecration on 7 March 1992 until his retirement in 2018. [2]
Muru Walters was born in Kaitaia. [3] He affiliated to the Te Rarawa and Te Aupōuri iwi. [1] A talented rugby player, Walters represented New Zealand Māori, and won the Tom French Cup for the Māori rugby union player of the year in 1957. [4] He studied at Auckland Teachers' College. After working in arts and crafts education in schools, he became a lecturer in art at Dunedin Teachers' College. In 1980, Walters completed a master's degree on Māori archaeology at the University of Otago. [5] He was later a lecturer in Māori Studies at St John's Theological College in Auckland. [3] In October 2020, Walters was made a Life Fellow of Selwyn College Dunedin. [6]
Walters died at his home in Mangawhai on 14 February 2024, at the age of 89. [7] [8]