Tamati Reedy: key obituary facts
Is Tamati Reedy dead? Yes. Tamati Reedy died on May 21, 2026, at age 89.
Cause of death: Tamati Reedy's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Tamati Reedy known for?
He was a New Zealand Māori academic.
More about Tamati Reedy
Born: 16 July 1936.
Place of birth: Ruatoria.
Place of death: Wellington.
Gender: male.
Occupation: academic, civil servant, rugby union player.
Nationality: New Zealand.
Employer: University of Waikato.
Awards: Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Also known as: Tamati Muturangi Reedy, Sir Tamati Reedy, Sir Tamati Muturangi Reedy.
Sir Tamati Reedy, a New Zealand Māori academic, rugby union player and public servant, died on May 21, 2026.
Born in Ruatoria in 1936, he served as secretary of the Department of Maori Affairs from 1983 to 1989, and was involved in the Māori loans affair during that period. In 1996 he became the foundation dean and professor of the School of Māori and Pacific Development at the University of Waikato, later serving as professor of Māori sustainable enterprise in the School of Management.
He was knighted in 2011 for services to education.
Sir Tamati Muturangi Reedy KNZM (16 July 1936 – 21 May 2026) was a New Zealand Māori academic, public servant and rugby union player. He served as secretary of the Department of Maori Affairs between 1983 and 1989, during which time he was involved in the Māori loans affair. He was the foundation dean and professor of the School of Māori and Pacific Development at the University of Waikato in 1996, and was later the professor of Māori sustainable enterprise in the School of Management at Waikato. He was knighted, for services to education, in 2011.