Jock McEwen, administrator, historian, linguist, composer and master carver, was a well-known figure in the Maori world and the wider Pacific for over half a century.

Born in Cheltenham near Feilding in 1915 he was brought up with a strong Presbyterian work ethic, which he retained until his death in 2010. Jock came into early contact with the M?ori community at Aorangi, where he
learned to speak fluent te reo and developed interests in whakapapa (including his own) and tikanga M?ori. With initial help from a relative, he developed his interest in M?ori carving and its many regional variations.

In the mid-1930s Jock commenced his public service career in the Native Department, which became Maori Affairs. He came into contact with Sir Apirana Ngata with whom he later visited Maori communities throughout
New Zealand. Jock was a founder member of both Ngati Poneke Young Maori Club and later Mawai Hakona M?ori Association. In 1953 he was appointed Resident Commissioner for Niue Island, followed later by appointments to head the Island Territories and Maori Affairs Departments.

During this time Jock travelled widely throughout the Pacific. He visited the United Nations several times on decolonisation matters affecting New Zealand’s Pacific territories, spoke at UN conferences in Brazil and Cameroon,
and chaired a UN visiting mission to Papua-New Guinea.

In retirement Jock gave 35 years of voluntary service to the community including helping to establish Orongomai Marae in Upper Hutt. He taught Maori carving to Maori trade trainees, inmates of Rimutaka prison and others,
producing many of the carvings that adorn meeting houses including those at Pipitea and ?rongomai maraes as well as other buildings.

In Te Oka – Pakeha Kaumatua, author Mary McEwen, Jock’s daughter-in-law, gives many insights into the complex nature of this man and his times. The book will appeal to all with an interest in the twentieth-century
history of M?ori development and the decolonisation of New Zealand’s Pacific Island territories.