Morvin Simon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Morvin Simon
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Simon in 2013
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Morvin Te Anatipa Simon
1944 Kaiwhaiki, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand
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| Died | (aged 70) Wellington, New Zealand
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| Spouse(s) | Titikura Kipo Irimana Simon QSM |
Morvin Te Anatipa Simon MNZM (1944 – 14 May 2014) was an important Māori leader from New Zealand. He was a talented composer, a leader of kapa haka groups, and a choirmaster. He also helped share the history and language of the Māori people.
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Morvin Simon's Life and Work
Morvin Simon was born in 1944 at Kaiwhaiki marae. This is a special meeting place for Māori people, located on the Whanganui River. He belonged to several Māori tribes, including Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Apa, and Ngāti Tūwharetoa.
Education and Learning
Morvin went to school at Upokongaro School and Hato Paora College. He loved learning and studied many subjects. He learned about how societies work (sociology) and thinking (philosophy) in Christchurch. Later, he studied the Māori language and old Māori stories at universities in Wellington and Massey.
A Gift for Music
Morvin followed in his father's footsteps as the choirmaster at Kaiwhaiki. He helped create a series of music albums called The Valley of Voices. The second album was even nominated for an award in 1983!
He wrote or helped write the words for hundreds of songs. Some of his famous songs include Te Aroha (1983). He also adapted a Welsh lullaby into the Māori song Moe, moe mai rā. Morvin also led two kapa haka groups, Te Matapihi and Te Taikura o te Awa Tupua. Kapa haka is a traditional Māori performing art.
Sharing Māori Culture
Morvin was an expert in the Māori language. In 2004, he became a special professor at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. He also wrote a series of books called Taku Whare E. These books were about the marae (Māori meeting places) in the Whanganui area. The last book in the series was about his own home marae, Kaiwhaiki.
Awards and Recognition
In 2012, Morvin Simon received an honorary degree. This was to celebrate his amazing contributions to kapa haka and his work in protecting Māori culture.
In 2013, he was given a special award called the New Zealand Order of Merit. This award recognized his important services to the Māori people. At the same time, his wife, Titikura Simon, also received an award for her services to Māori.
Morvin Simon passed away in Wellington in 2014. Many people remembered him for his beautiful songs. Māori Party co-leader Tariana Turia said his songs could "move from tempestuous rapids to smooth waters that caress your every trouble away."
