Bruce Grandison Biggs CBE FRSNZ (4 September 1921 – 18 October 2000) was an influential figure in the academic field of Māori studies in New Zealand.
Proposals to advance Māori language study above Stage I level initially received much condemnation from academics in other disciplines: they expressed (unfounded) concerns about the lack of a sufficient body of written material on which to base a syllabus.
Biggs taught a number of people who went on to become well known academics in Māori studies, including Pat Hohepa, Hirini Mead, Ranginui Walker, Sir Robert Mahuta, Koro Dewes, Roger Oppenheim, Richard Benton, Wharehuia Milroy, Bernie Kernot, Merimeri Penfold, Tamati Reedy, Dame Anne Salmond, David Simmons, David Walsh, Peter Ranby, Pita Sharples, Parehuia Hopa, Margaret Orbell, Bill Tawhai, Bill Nepia and Margaret Mutu.
In the 1986 New Year Honours, Biggs was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to Māori studies and linguistics.
[3] He was promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for services to education and the Māori people, in the 1996 New Year Honours.