Peter Amos Walden

Taranaki, Te Āti Haunui a Pāpārangi, Ngāti Toa, Rangitāne

1934 -



Peter Walden was born in Eastbourne, Wellington, and grew up in the home of his grandmother Te Rehu Pirere (Ngāti Paerangi Hapu) at the Kaiwhaiki Marae on the banks of the Whanganui River. His great-grandmother was Roka of Parihaka. Walden was educated with the Marist Brothers in Whanganui, St Augustine’s High School in Whanganui and at St Patrick’s College in Wellington. Walden lived in Titahi Bay for twenty-eight years, including five years at Takapuawhia Pa where he was chairman and representative on the New Zealand Māori Council. He works as an administrator and is National President of the New Zealand Māori Wardens’ Association. Walden writes non-fiction articles and has been the editor of the Māori Wardens’ News. He was awarded the Queens Service Order for community service in his work with Māori Wardens.

Biographical sources

  • Faxed correspondence from Peter Walden, dated 11 Feb. 1998.
  • Correspondence from Walden on 23 July 1998.

    Non-fiction

  • "District Visits by National Executive." Māori Wardens News: The Official Publication of the N.Z Māori Wardens Association 1.1 (Oct. 1980): 19.
  • Walden reports on the N.Z. Māori Wardens National Executive visit to the districts of Taitokerau, Auckland, Waiariki, Waikato-Maniapoto, Ikaroa and Aotea.
  • "Nomination and Appointment." Māori Wardens News: The Official Publication of the N.Z Māori Wardens Association 1.1 (Oct. 1980): 25.
  • Guidelines on nominating and appointing Māori Wardens.
  • "N.Z.M.W.A. To Establish A Simple Accounting System." Māori Wardens News 1.2 (Dec. 1980): 119-123.
  • Walden outlines an accounting system for Māori Warden Association treasurers.
  • "Visit to Te Waipounamu: Te Waipounamu District Māori Council Meeting: Blenheim, December 6 and 7, 1980." Māori Wardens News: The Official Publication of the N.Z Māori Wardens Association 2.1 (Apr. 1981): 15.
  • A report on the N.Z. Māori Wardens National Executive to Te Waipounamu District from 6-7 December, 1980.
  • "Conference 1981." Māori Wardens News: The Official Publication of the N.Z. Māori Wardens Assocation 2.2 (July 1981): 21.
  • A panui of the Second Annual Conference of the New Zealand Māori Wardens Association to be held at Ratana Pa, 13-15 November, 1981.
  • "N.Z.M.W.A. Executive News." Māori Wardens News: The Official Publication of the N.Z. Māori Wardens Assocation 2.2 (July 1981): 23-25.
  • Report of the National Executive meeting of the N.Z. Māori Wardens Association on 5 April, 1981.
  • "New Zealand Māori Wardens Conference Opening 1981 - Ratana PA, Wanganui on Friday 13th November, 1981." ibid. 43.
  • Text of speeches and summaries of discussion at the N.Z. Māori Wardens Conference opening on 13 November, 1981 at Ratana Pa.
  • "President’s Address . . . Conference, Ratana Pa, November 1981." Māori Wardens News: The Official Publication of the N.Z. Māori Wardens Association 2.4 (Jan. 1982): 11-15.
  • Walden’s address at the N.Z. Māori Warden’s Association Third Annual conference held at Ratana Pa, November, 1981.
  • "Constitutional Requirements." Māori Wardens News: The Official Publication of the N.Z. Māori Wardens Association 2.4 (Jan. 1982): 21.
  • Walden discusses various constitutional requirements for N.Z. Māori Wardens Districts and Sub-associations.
  • "New Zealand Māori Wardens Association Inc: Report to the New Zealand Māori Council 5 December 1981." Māori Wardens News: The Official Publication of the N.Z. Māori Wardens Association 3.1 (April 1982): 13.
  • Text of Walden’s report to the New Zealand Māori Council on 5 December, 1981.
  • "Māori Wardens Operation in Otara Town Centre." Māori Wardens News: The Official Publication of the N.Z. Māori Wardens Association 3.1 (Apr. 1982): 49-51.
  • Walden gives an account of the Māori Wardens’ Association strategy to combat the crime rate at the Otara Town Centre beginning in December of 1991 and he includes press reports noting the success of their work and provides a report from Molly Toki who was in charge of the Otara centre for the Māori Wardens Association. Photographs in this article are by Peter Walden.
  • "Waitangi Day - Protestors - Police." Māori Wardens News: The Official Publication of the N.Z. Māori Wardens Association 3.3 (Nov. 1982): 21.
  • Discusses issues raised concerning the Māori Wardens’ presence at Waitangi Day Celebrations.
  • "Report of the President of the New Zealand Māori Wardens Association Inc to Conference 1982." Māori Warden News: The Official Publication of the N.Z. Māori Wardens Association 4.1 (Feb. 1983): 17-19.
  • Text of Walden’s presidential report at the N.Z. Māori Wardens Association Conference 1982.
  • "Training Programme The Chairman." Māori Warden News: The Official Publication of the N.Z. Māori Wardens Association 4.1 (Feb. 1983): 53.
  • Walden lists qualities and functions of a chairperson.
  • "The Māori Community Development Act 1962." Māori Warden News: The Official Publication of the N.Z. Māori Wardens Association 4.2 (June 1983): 11-19.
  • Walden provides an interpretation of the Māori Community Development Act 1962.
  • "Simple Account Procedures." Māori Wardens News: The Official Publication of the N.Z. Māori Wardens Association 4.3 (Sept. 1983): 49-63.
  • A detailed guide on accounting procedures.
  • "Report of President Mr P. Walden to Fifth Annual Conference." Māori Warden News: The Official Publication of the N.Z. Māori Wardens Association 4.3 (Dec. 1983): 23-27.
  • Text of Walden’s presidential speech at the Fifth Annual Conference of the N.Z
  • "Waitangi Day . . . Feb. 6 1984." Māori Wardens News: The Official Publication of the N.Z. Māori Wardens Association 5.1 (May 1984): 32-39.
  • An account with photographs of the role of the Māori Wardens during Waitangi Day on Feb. 6 1984.
  • "The Role of the Māori Warden Today." Māori Wardens News: The Official Publication of the N.Z. Māori Wardens Association 5.1 (May 1984): 53-55.
  • Walden presents his views on the role of the Māori Warden in contemporary New Zealand society.
  • "Māori Wardens at Waitangi 1984." Te Hikoi Ki Waitangi 1984. Otara, N.Z.: Waitangi Action Committee, Aug 1984. 43-45.
  • Walden describes the work of the 80 Māori Wardens who came from Tairawhiti, Waiariki, Takitimu, Waikato-Maniapoto, North Shore and Taitokerau to assist during the 1984 Waitangi Day activitites.
  • "New Zealand Māori Wardens’ Association Incorporated." Māori Wardens News: The Official Publication of the N.Z. Māori Wardens Association 6.1 (1985): 23.
  • Walden’s presidential report at the Sixth Conference of the N.Z. Māori Wardens Association in November 1984.
  • "New Zealand Māori Wardens Association Inc.: Points To The Committee At Ngaruawahia." He Kōrero mo Waitangi, 1984: He Tohu Aroha, Ki Nga Tupuna: "Talk, Conciliate and Heal". Ed. Arapera Blank, Manuka Henare and Haare Williams. [Ngaruawahia], N.Z.: Te Runanga o Waitangi, 1985. 55.
  • A list of five points expressing the viewpoint of the New Zealand Māori Wardens Association concerning the venue of Treaty discussions, Waitangi Day ‘celebrations’, and the role of the Māori Wardens.