Professor John Renata Broughton CNZM ED JP
Hastings Boys' High School 1960 - 1965
Professor Broughton - Ngāti Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu, started his education as a day one student at Frimley School when it opened in 1952, moving onto the distinguished educational institute of Hastings Boys’ High School from 1960 to 1965. Upon leaving school he completed a Bachelor of Science degree at Massey University and after a period of working for the Polynesian Cultural Centre in Hawaii, enrolled at Otago University School of Dentistry in 1974.
After he completed his Bachelor of Dentistry and graduating as a dentist in 1977 he spent the next year working as a dental house surgeon at the Dental School in Dunedin where he was able to connect with his Ngai Tahu heritage.
He submitted his PhD thesis on the topic of “Oranga niho – A Review of Māori Oral Health”. It was originally submitted for the Master of Community Dentistry but on the recommendation of the examiner it was awarded the higher degree of a PhD.
Professor Broughton established Te Whare Kaitiaki; a Māori oral health clinic within the Faculty of Dentistry in 1990, and is now into its 28th year. He is Associate Dean at the Faculty of Dentistry and Director of the Ngai Tahu Māori Research Trust.
He sits on the several Boards including the New Zealand Dentistry Association, Otago Museum and is the Board Chair of the New Zealand Institute for Cancer Research and Patron of Te Ao Marama New Zealand Māori Dental Association. His extensive research into Indigenous Oral Health and health inequities has seen his work published in many journals.
Professor Broughton’s other great interest is theatre. He has written or co-produced more than 22 theatre productions and is the recipient of the Bruce Mason Playwright award. His play “The Private War of Corporal Cooper” was performed to make the World War 1 centenary commemoration. His other plays include:
Michael James Manaia
ANZAC
Te Hokinga Mai
Nga Puke
1981
A Day at the Races
Show Bank Aotearoa
It was fitting therefore that Professor Broughton was awarded the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for his services to Māori health, theatre and community.
