Archie Taiaroa

[1] He chaired the Whanganui River Maori Trust Board[2] and Te Ohu Kaimoana, the latter for five years.

[3] He lived for a long time at Taumarunui, where he was a borough councillor and deputy mayor.

[4] Taiaroa was born at Tawatā (Tawhata), on the Whanganui River, about 40 kilometres by road south-west of Taumarunui.

[4] In the 2003 Queen's Birthday Honours, Taiaroa was appointed a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to Māori.

The naming of the new wing was to honour Taiaroa's legacy and commitment to collective action.