Support members of Waikato Tainui and Hauraki iwi in education and/or training relevant to agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, agribusiness, veterinary science or other primary industries.

The late John Luxton was a successful and accomplished dairy farmer, businessman, company director, international agricultural development consultant and Government Minister.

Throughout his life John worked alongside Maaori, including as the last Pakeha Minister of Māori Affairs and as inaugural Co-Chair of the Waikato River Authority.

John had a true respect and admiration for Maaori culture and for tikanga. He read avidly about Maaori history and at the end of his life was learning Te Reo, which he very much admired and wished to speak proficiently, both as a sign of respect and to better understand those he interacted with.

Above: John Luxton 1946-2021. Photo: Waikato River Authority.

His window into the Maaori world impressed upon him the values of honour and of community. He delighted in and respected the oratory, the symbolism, the wisdom of the kuia and the mana of the late Maaori Queen Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu.

He also noted the reality of what it must be like to have to catch up from behind. He recognised the historical circumstances that resulted in many young Maaori often being denied the same opportunities as their Pakeha contemporaries in other socio-economic groups.

John was very aware of the privilege that his family’s position as landowners had given him. It is those who seek to learn, work in and contribute to New Zealand’s primary industries that the John Luxton Fund aims to assist.

The John Luxton Legacy Fund welcomes public donations, which as with all Momentum Waikato endowments, are added to the invested capital that then provides an annual income used for grants.

Do you want to support members of Waikato Tainui and Hauraki iwi into primary sector education or training?

Please donate to the John Luxton Legacy Fund at top right, or contact Momentum Waikato.

Below: John Luxton on his farm near Waitoa. Photo: DairyNZ.