Morvin Te Anatipa Simon (1944 â 14 May 2014) was a New Zealand MÃÂori composer, kapa haka leader, choirmaster and historian.
Born at Kaiwhaiki marae on the Whanganui River, Simon was of Te ÃÂti Haunui-a-PÃÂpÃÂrangi, NgÃÂti Apa and NgÃÂti Tà «wharetoa descent. He was educated at Upokongaro School and Hato Paora College, and studied sociology and philosophy at Holy Name Seminary in Christchurch, and MÃÂori language and oral literature at Victoria University of Wellington and Massey University.
Simon succeeded his father as choirmaster at Kaiwhaiki, recording the series of albums The Valley of Voices, volume 2 of which was a finalist for best Polynesian album at the 1983 New Zealand Music Awards. He composed or wrote lyrics for hundreds of songs, including classics such as Te Aroha (1983), and Moe, moe mai ràadapted from the Welsh lullaby Suo Gân, and others for special occasions including one in memory of Sir Archie Taiaroa. He was the leader of the kapa haka groups Te Matapihi and Te Taikura o te Awa Tupua.
An expert in the MÃÂori language, Simon was appointed an adjunct professor by Te WÃÂnanga o Aotearoa in 2004. He wrote a series of books Taku Whare E about the marae in the Whanganui region, with the third and final book focusing on his home marae of Kaiwhaiki.
In 2012, Simon was awarded an honorary Bachelor of Arts in MÃÂori Performing Arts by Te Whare WÃÂnanga o AwanuiÃÂrangi, in recognition of his contribution to kapa haka and cultural stewardship. In the 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to MÃÂori. At the same time, his wife, Titikura Simon, was awarded the Queen's Service Medal, also for services to MÃÂori.
Simon died in Wellington in 2014. MÃÂori Party co-leader Tariana Turia paid tribute to Simon, saying "his waiata could move from tempestuous rapids to smooth waters that caress your every trouble away."