Piri Sciascia
Piri John Ngarangikaunuhia Sciascia (6 November 1946 – 18 January 2020) was a New Zealand Māori leader, kapa haka exponent, and university administrator. From 2016 until his death, he served as kaumātua and advisor to the governor-general and government of New Zealand. Early life and family Born at Porangahau on 6 November 1946, Sciascia was the son of Frank la Basse and Maymorn Sciascia. He was of Māori and Italian descent, and affiliated to Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Ngati maniapoto, Ngāti Raukawa, and Rangitāne. Sciascia was educated at Te Aute College, and then studied at the University of Otago, completing a BSc in 1968 and Bachelor of Arts in 1971. He later completed a BA(Hons) at Victoria University of Wellington in 1977, and a Diploma of Teaching at Palmerston North Teachers' College in 1981. In 1973, Sciascia married Gaylene Ann Wilson, and the couple went on to have five children. Tākuta Ferris is his nephew. Academic and public service career Sciascia was a lecturer at Palmerston North Teachers' College from 1975 until 1981, before serving as a director of the Council for Maori and South Pacific Arts from 1981 to 1989. In 1989, he joined the Department of