Associate Professor Joe Te Rito (Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rangitāne, Ngāti Hinemanu) is a long-time advocate for te reo Māori and community broadcasting. He continues his long-standing affiliation with EIT, where he founded Radio Kahungunu in 1988 and has contributed to Māori broadcasting and education for over 17 years. With over a decade at Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga and nine years at Ako Aotearoa, Joe has consistently championed Māori educational advancement. His work remains deeply rooted in Māori oral history and reo revitalisation, bridging research with enduring community impact.