Sir Apirana had a strong influence on the Pakeha population and their thoughts about Maori affairs. He contributed hugely to the revival of what was then thought to be a dying race - the Maori, and this influenced New Zealand today. He was a good speaker and his strong personality made him a successful fundraiser for community welfare. Not only was he a powerful advocate for Maori language, tikanga (traditions) and culture, but he also raised interest in Maori history. His vision was for equal opportunity for Maori in sports and education, but his best efforts were given to land settlement and development. He pushed his famous ‘Ahuwhenua’ policy – one which involved working the land hard to get maximum output from it.
