Professor Maualaivao Dr. Wendt treasures honour from Samoa

The National University of Samoa (N.U.S) yesterday honoured Samoa’s award-winning author, Emeritus Professor Maualaivao Albert Wendt, by conferring him with an honorary degree.

The honour was conferred during the University’s graduation ceremony at the N.U.S gymnasium.

In accepting the honour in front of N.U.S graduates and hundreds of their relatives and friends, Maualaivao said he would treasure the gesture for the rest of his life.

“I have received similar honours from other universities, but for me, this is the most precious because it is from our University, the National University of Samoa and the country which is still my spiritual and cultural home,” he said.

Talking to the graduates, Maualaivao said he had taught and worked at every educational level, from Primary to University.

He has taught thousands of students but has never been good with giving advice to them.

Yesterday, he reminded that they would not have earned their qualifications without the support of their parents, relatives and friends.

But, he said, the graduation was only the beginning of real learning.

“It’s only a note that you’ve completed, a set period of study in a particular field," he said.

"It’s only the start of a whole life of learning.”

The real learning is out there at your work, home, community and country.

Graduands were urged to find their passion and pursue it wholeheartedly. At an early age, Maualaivao found that he wanted to teach, write and tell stories. He has been doing that for more than 50 years.

“Pursue what you love doing and being and you will learn more about yourself and your fellow human beings and our planet and you’ll be able to help yourself and your communities more wisely and compassionately.”

Maualaivao said that when the Supreme Atua Tagaloaalagi created us, he put into us the magnificent gifts of agaga, atamai, poto, finagalo, loto and masalo.

“These were gifts that make us capable of boundless alofa (love), creativity, invention and healing, but also extreme cruelty, evil and violence.

“We know we will die, yet we can imagine ourselves able to live forever.

Such basic contradictions are at the heart of all cultures and societies.

And we have to learn how to live with and control them.”

Maualaivao said he was born and had grown up in the second half of the 20th century. It was one of the most violent periods of world history.

“...And everywhere we look today that violence and destruction continues. We have to stop that: it is our duty to our children and our planet.” Life is full of problems and pain, but it is the only life we have, so live it the best way you know how and it will become a healing, creative and wondrous life.

“And on your 75th Birthday, you’ll remember that a white haired dude spoke at your graduation, but you can’t remember what he said, only that he really tried to say something cool and perceptive.”

He acknowledged that universities were expensive and difficult institutions to maintain. Maualaivao congratulated the Council, the Vice Chancellor, the staff and government for keeping the university strong and well.

He also thanked his parents, who struggled hard to ensure that he and his 23 sisters and brothers were well educated. He thanked his aiga in Vaiala, Moata’a, Lefaga, Sapaali’i and peace loving village of Malie.

He also thanked his extended family, his oldest brothers and their wives, Taulapapa Hans and Flora and Tuaopepe Felix and Marita who were taking care of the aiga. He thanked his children, his grandchildren and partner, Reina Whatiri. He thanked his friends, whom he has known all his life. The decision to confer the honorary degree was confirmed in a letter signed by the Director of the Centre for Samoan Studies at N.U.S., Leasiolagi Malama Meleisea.

A celebration to honour Professor Maualaivao followed the ceremony at Sails Restaurant where Maualaivao was joined by the Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua and close friends.

Born in 1939 in Apia, Samoa, Emeritus Prof. Maualaivao is a Professor of English at the University of Auckland, and an acclaimed Samoanborn Novelist and Poet. He has been an influential figure in the developments that have shaped New Zealand and Pacific literature since the 1970s.

Maualaivao had taught at the University before as a Professor of New Zealand and Pacific Literature from 1988 to 2006.

He became one of the First Samoan and Pacific Island professors in New Zealand and is most likely the most well-known Author/Writer of the South Pacific.