He was awarded an Honorary D.Litt by the University of Canterbury in 1992. As Chairman of the Ngai Tahu Maori Trust Board Sir Tipene led the Board in the hearings of the Ngai Tahu Claim before the Waitangi Tribunal and in the subsequent negotiations with the Crown, culminating in the Ngai Tahu Settlement in 1998.
Sir Tipene O’Regan, an eminent kaumatua, academic and business leader is to become the first-ever Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Maori) at the University of Canterbury.
Sir Tipene O’Regan was the former Ngai Tahu tribal leader an in April 2004 was made a Doctor of Commerce for his contributions to Maori leadership, business activities, commercial enterprise and entrepreneurship
Although most prominently remembered with leadership of the mammoth negotiation process and eventual settlement of Ngai Tahu’s generations-long claims over its lands and fisheries grievances, Sir Tipene’s involvement in the educational, cultural, business, commercial, community, and political life of New Zealand has been immense and far-reaching, says the University.