During her time studying and researching, she was respected by many of Oxford’s academics and is believed to be the first indigenous woman to study at Oxford.

Unfortunately, in 1930 just weeks before Papakura was due to present her thesis, she passed away. Her work was later published posthumously in a book titled The Old-Time Māori, with permission from her whānau, by Rhodes Scholar and fellow Oxford anthropologist T.K. Penniman. The book became the first ethnographic study published by a Māori author and has been recognised by the New Zealand Royal Society.

On 27 September 2025 the University of Oxford honoured Māori scholar Mākereti Papakura with a posthumous degree, almost 100 years after she began her studies.

Over 100 people from Aotearoa attended the event including Guergana Guermanoff Deputy High Commissioner representing the Crown, acting on behalf of the New Zealand Government, and Mākereti Papakura descendants, who were presented with her Master of Philosophy degree.

The Partnerships team within Te Puni Kōkiri worked closely with Minister Potaka, Tūhourangi Tribal Authority, Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Government House to ensure this important moment was appropriately elevated as a significant Māori Crown event.

Minister for Māori Development Hon Tama Potaka did not attend but sent a message of support saying “the New Zealand Government recognises the importance of contributions Mākereti Papakura has made to Māori and global indigenous scholarships. I welcome the reconnection of Tūhourangi – Ngāti Wahiao to Oxford University and encourage enduring relationships between preeminent academic institutions, and Māori scholars.”

Whai Hononga is a non-contestable fund to support initiatives that strengthen a shared national identity realised through strong partnerships between Māori and the Crown. This is the first time Whai Hononga has supported an event outside of Aotearoa reflecting the significance of the event.

Read the Te Ao Māori News story here

_{Photo: Mākereti Papakura, Alexander Turnbull Library.}