David Wright was born in Tokoroa and was educated at Matarawa Primary School, Tokoroa North School, Tokoroa Intermediate School, Forest View High School and St Stephen’s School (Bombay). He attended the WCTE Waikato College of Education and Auckland Teachers’ College. He was awarded a Certificate of Teaching and a Diploma of Teaching in 1981. He attended the Tu Tangata/NZ Journalist Training Board (now NZJITO) Introduction Course in 1982. In the following year he attended the Tu Tangata journalism training course in Rotorua. In 1984 he attended the Auckland, N.Z. Technical Institute (now AIT) and was awarded a certificate of Journalism in 1984. He has the following qualifications: Trained Teacher’s Certificate, Dip Tchg, and a Certificate in Journalism. He has written non-fiction articles for the following newspapers: ōpōtiki News (Summer 1984-84), Taranaki Herald (1984-88), Evening Post (1988-89), Tu Tangata Magazine, iwi newspapers: Kia Hiwa Ra; Pu Kaea; Kahungunu; Kia ora News Please; Te Maunga Kōrero; Te Māori News; Mana Tangata, and Mana Magazine He has recently completed a chapter for the uncoming New Zealand journalism text book edited by Jim Tucker. Since 1983 he has been Journalism Tutor at Waiariki Polytech and has also lectured in Education and research at the Polytech’s Bachelor Of Māori Studies Programme. One of his passions is "education through information, that is presenting the real history of New Zealand, challenging established myths and encouraging critical analysis of one’s reality in the hope that they will better appreciate other world views." Wright has hundreds of articles as a journalist. He continues to write regularly for newpapers and periodicals, and also writes short stories and waiata.
Biographical sources
- Correspondence and phone conversation with Rawiri Wright in April 1993 and on 19 August 1998.
Non-fiction
- "Ōpōtiki Factory Expansion." Tu Tangata 16 (Mar. 1984): 11.
- Wright reports on the success of New Zealand Safety Footwear, an ōpōtiki boot factory established in 1979 to provide work for the unemployed in ōpōtiki under the auspices of Whakatōhea Trust.
- "Concert Performer - And Proud Of It." Tu Tangata 16 (Mar. 1984): 47.
- A profile of Trevor Horowaewae Maxwell, community officer for the Department of Māori Affairs in Rotorua and leader and tutor of the Ngāti Rangiwewehi Māori Club.
- "Lifetime Experiences Guide Social Worker." Tu Tangata 16 (Mar. 1984): 50.
- A profile of social worker Charles Marsh, who works for the Rotorua branch of the I.H.C.
- "Insight: A Golden Opportunity: Toward Spiritual And Cultural Balance." Evening Post 13 Jan. 1989: 7.
- Wright states that this is ‘about the Mawhera Corporation partnership with an Australian goldmining company to mine alluvial gold in the upper reaches of the Arahura Valley Flats. It attempts to reconcile tikanga Māori with modern land development programmes. ‘
- "Tips on Māori Affairs reporting." Kiwi Journalism: A Practical Guide to News Journalism. Ed. Jim Tully. Auckland, N.Z.: Longman Paul, 1992. Rpt. 1994
- Wright states that this chapter focuses on ‘tips for starting and established journalists on how to be better prepared to cover news, views and perspectives.’