Peter Buck (anthropologist)

New Zealand anthropologist and politician

Peter Henry Buck (also known as Te Rangi Hīroa) was a prominent New Zealand anthropologist, physician, politician, and military leader. He was a key figure in the study of Māori and Polynesian cultures and made significant contributions to the understanding of Pacific anthropology.

Early life and education

Peter Buck in 1904

Peter Buck was born on 15 December 1877 in Urenui, Taranaki, New Zealand. He was of mixed Māori and European descent, with his father being an Irish immigrant and his mother of Ngāti Mutunga and Ngāti Tama iwi. Buck was raised in a Māori community and was deeply influenced by his cultural heritage.

He attended Te Aute College, a school known for educating Māori leaders, where he excelled academically. Buck went on to study medicine at the University of Otago, graduating in 1904 with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) degree.

Medical career

After completing his medical degree, Buck worked as a medical officer for the Māori Health Department. He was dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Māori communities and was involved in various public health initiatives.

Political career

Buck entered politics in 1909 when he was elected as the Member of Parliament for the Northern Maori electorate. He was a member of the Liberal Party and served in Parliament until 1914. During his time in politics, Buck advocated for Māori rights and worked to improve the social and economic conditions of Māori people.

Military service

Peter Buck's passport photo from 1927

During World War I, Buck served as a medical officer with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He was stationed in Europe and the Middle East, where he gained valuable experience in military medicine.

Anthropological work

After the war, Buck shifted his focus to anthropology. He was appointed as a research fellow at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he conducted extensive research on Polynesian cultures. Buck's work was instrumental in documenting and preserving the cultural heritage of Pacific Island peoples.

He published numerous works on Polynesian anthropology, including studies on traditional navigation, social structures, and material culture. His most notable work, "Vikings of the Sunrise," explored the history and migrations of Polynesian peoples across the Pacific.

Later life and legacy

Peter Buck in the 1930s

In his later years, Buck continued to be an influential figure in anthropology and Māori affairs. He was appointed as the Director of the Bishop Museum in 1936, a position he held until his death.

Buck passed away on 1 December 1951 in Honolulu, Hawaii. His contributions to anthropology and his advocacy for Māori and Polynesian cultures have left a lasting legacy. He is remembered as a pioneer in the field of Pacific anthropology and a champion of indigenous rights.

Related pages

• Māori people
• Polynesian culture
• Bishop Museum
• Te Aute College