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Maarire
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The Maarire Goodall Award is a prestigious annual award supporting and celebrating the contributions of Māori health professionals.
Overview
Maarire Goodall, raised in Murihiku, was a doctor-scientist, a writer, a musician and composer, a philanthropist, and a social justice champion. In the words of his son, Anake he was an “example of the potential we all have to turn up and make statements that matter and, through selfless action, improve the wellbeing and opportunities of those around us”.
He became an internationally feted Professor of cancer research specialising in genetics, carcinogenesis, radioactive tracers, the effects of inheritance and immunologic defects, dietary metals and organic toxins, the epidemiology and pathology of cancer, and theoretical studies using computer science, mathematics, virology and immunology.
He retired from cancer research in 1986 after a stint as the longest serving member of the WHO Expert Advisory Panel on Cancer.
Retirement mean’t immediately taking up a position as the first permanent judicial officer of the Waitangi Tribunal and helping to establish and direct tribunal procedures under their new legislation. He oversaw the hearing of claims including Bastion Point, Mangonui, Waiheke, Muriwhenua Fisheries, and the start of the Ngai Tahu Fisheries, bringing his administrative and intellectual skills to bear on the issues in front of the tribunal, laying the foundation for the next 20 years of historical claim inquiries.
From 1990 he was Director and Editor of Aoraki Press Ltd, publishing Māori and English literature, music, history, and material of relevance to Ngāi Tahu and to New Zealand Māori interests. He worked with the Ngāi Tahu Māori Trust Board on major tribal projects and a huge force in Ngai Tahu development.
Anake said “he was perpetually curious and always – but always – interested in people and their journeys. Supporting emerging talent, in any field, to find its groove and flourish was a particular passion”. It is with these thoughts that Te ORA is proud to have the Maarire Goodall as its prestigious annual award supporting and celebrating the contributions of one of our number to the advancement of Māori health.
Current (2024) Recipient Maarire Goodall Award Recipient
2024 – Professor Bev Lawton
Professor Bev. Lawton has dedicated her career to advancing Māori women’s health, particularly in the areas of cervical screening, HPV research, and equitable access to life-saving health services. As the founding Director of Te Tātai Hauora o Hine – The National Centre for Women’s Health Research Aotearoa, she has championed research that brings mātauranga Māori and clinical practice together to create real impact for wāhine and whānau. Her tireless advocacy has influenced national policy and transformed how services respond to inequities, ensuring Māori voices and solutions are central in shaping health outcomes.
Immediate Past Recipient Maarire Goodall Award Recipient
2023 – Dr Curtis Walker
Dr Curtis Walker is widely recognised for his leadership and advocacy in advancing equity for Māori within Aotearoa’s health system. As a consultant physician and former Chair of the Medical Council of New Zealand, he has been a strong voice for ensuring cultural safety, accountability, and fairness across the medical profession. His work has contributed to systemic changes that support Māori doctors and improve outcomes for Māori patients, while his commitment to mentoring and representation continues to inspire the next generation of Māori medical leaders.
Maarire Goodall Award Recipients
| 1997 Waipapa, Tamaki | 1997 – |
| 1998 Waipapa, Tamaki | 1998 Dr Paratene Ngata |
| 1999 Hongoeka | 1999 Dr Henry Rongomau Bennett |
| 2000 Tolaga Bay | 2000 Dr Papaarangi Reid |
| 2001 Rotoiti | 2001 Dr Tony Ruakere |
| 2002 Owae, Waitara | 2002 Dr Colin Mantell |
| 2003 Maunga Tapu, Tauranga | 2003 Prof Mason Durie |
| 2004 Otakou | 2004 Dr Erihana Ryan |
| 2005 Waahi Pa, Huntly | 2005 Dr Tom Ellison |
| 2006 Jet Inn, Manukau | 2006 Dr David Tipene-Leach |
| 2007 Tangata Marae, Matamata | 2007 Dr Errol Raumati |
| 2008 Porangahau | 2008 Mata Forbes |
| 2009 Whanganui-ā-Tara | 2009 Dr Peter Jansen |
| 2010 Parihaka | 2010 Mr Hayden Wano |
| 2011 Makaurau Marae, Mangere | 2011 Taima Campbell |
| 2012 Korou Kore Marae, Ahipara | 2012 Dr Madeleine Wall |
| 2013 Kuratini Marae, Massey University | 2013 Dr Joanne Baxter |
| 2014 Whangaehu Marae, Whangarei | 2014 Hon. Tariana Turia |
| 2015 Tu Toa, Tai Wananga, Palmerston North | 2015 Dr Len Cook |
| 2016 Papakura Marae | 2016 Professor John Broughton |
| 2017 Te Wananga o Aotearoa Ki Porirua | 2017 Dr Matire Harwood |
| 2019 Te Wananga o Aotearoa Ki Porirua | 2019 Dr Rawiri Jansen |
| 2020 Online Hui a-Tau – Aotearoa |
2020 Dr Diana Kopua |
| 2022 Online Hui a-Tau – Aotearoa | 2022 Professor Sue Crengle |
| 2023 The Pā, University of Waikato | 2023 Dr Curtis Walker |
| 2024 Rydges Hotel, Rotorua | 2024 Professor Bev Lawton |
Dr. Maarire Goodall (1935 – 2015) Founding Member of Te ORA, Civil Rights Activist, Philanthropist.
Dr Maarire Goodall (Ngāi Tahu) graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) from the then University of New Zealand in 1959. Maarire served in Wakaari & Dunedin Hospitals, then studied carcinogenesis and endocrinology, graduating with an M.D. research degree in 1963 from the University of Otago – becoming ‘Dr Doctor’ to some (but Moeraki elders always called him Dr Spock).
He moved to the United States on a postdoc fellowship, and went on to work for nearly four years in the Chicago Medical School’s Institute for Medical Research where he became a Professor of Oncology. During his time in Chicago he was part of the “Freedom Riders” – groups of mainly young idealists from the north who rode buses into the heart of the southern states in support of the African American struggle for the right to vote in the South, and equality everywhere. They often got beaten up for their trouble. Several died.
In 1966 Maarire was called home to take up the opportunity of Head of the Department of Cancer Research at the University of Otago (1966-1985). After serving nearly twenty years with the Department he was about to take up a tenured professorship in the National Cancer Institute (and University of Maryland, USA), but at the last minute was asked instead to assist with research and procedure for the new Waitangi Tribunal. Maarire worked on establishing the Waitangi Tribunal for the next five years until cardiovascular ill health supervened.
During his career Maarire founded two charitable cancer research trusts: the Cancer Research Trust, and the Institute for Cancer Research Trust. Together these provide a large capital endowment that supports a full time research professor and several other cancer researchers at the University of Otago.
Amongst his other interests and achievements Maarire worked and studied Buddhism in Thailand early in his career; founded the Manawapopore Trust, focussed especially on Ngāi Tahu studies and Māori culture; then once ‘retired’ in late 1989 he became a gentleman publisher (his own description) founding the Aoraki Press which published Harry Evison’s history of the southern Māori, “Te Waipounamu”. The book won both the 1993 NZ Author’s Award and Montana non-fiction Book of the Year.
Maarire is well remembered by many Māori graduates of Otago Medical School.
“He called us together on a regular basis to feed us, support us and encourage us. It should be noted that to my knowledge he never cooked (unless it was a Māori Club hāngi) – he was well known to many Chinese restaurants and would cater for the gatherings of medical students by collecting chow mein or KFC party packs!” – recollection provided by Dr Rawiri Jansen.
Dr Tipene-Leach asked Maarire to join moves to establish Te ORA. Before the first AGM, when he was in Wellington Hospital having cardiac surgery and acutely aware of his own mortality, he established the Maarire Goodall Award for excellence in serving Māori and Pasifika health.
Maarire’s estate includes an endowment that supports the Award. The Maarire Goodall Award acknowledges and honours mid-career medical professionals who exemplify manaaki and are positive role models for younger generations. It is awarded annually with the recipients selected by members of the Te ORA executive. The Award is associated with the Maarire Goodall Oration which gives the recipient the opportunity to address the Te ORA membership.
Many of Dr Goodall’s original scientific papers, some tribal essays, and other information is available at www.academia.edu (search: Maarire Goodall), or in a few academic theses. Another recent account is in the Otago Medical School 50th year Graduation Reunion book “Leaders of the Future” (pp. 70-72) compiled by Dr H. Bramwell Cook, to whom thanks are due for the photograph.
Maarire was a lifelong student of the Māori language and its use in all of the traditional forms, and composed a number of waiata. One of his favourite whakatauākī is also one of the shortest:
“Kia ita!” – “Stay tight, Remain close together!”
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