Menu
Click on the videos below to view key moments captured of the day. For an extended collection of videos and photos capturing the Deed of Signing Day and the Whakatōhea Claims Settlement Bill’s First Reading in Parliament, please visit our website’s Gallery tab.
© 2023 | 122 St Johns Street, Ōpōtiki | p: 0508 TeWhakatohea / 0508 839 425 | e: gina.smith@whakatohea.co.nz
Ka mihi atu au ki te Matua nui i te rangi, nāna nei ngā mea katoa.
Ka mihi atu au ki ngā tūpuna, nā rātou nei i āwhina, i manaaki i ā matou, ngā mokopuna.
Ko Mataatua te waka
Ko Tirotirowhetu rāua ko Pukenuioraho ngā maunga
Ko Te Kakaho rāua ko Waiotahe ngā awa
Ko Kutarere rāua ko Maromahue ngā Marae
Ko Te Ūpokorehe te Hapū
Ko Te Whakatōhea te Iwi
Ko Miranda Horan keimua i o koutou aroaro.
My governance experience comes from years of managing Māori land on trusts and board of trustees roles for schools. Various positions on committees and charitable organisations have honed my skills and taught me the value of sharing common goals, working through differing opinions and creating solutions that benefit everyone.
My educational qualifications include business management, leadership, sales, marketing and public relations. I have over 18 years experience in real estate investment and development and I also serve my local community as a Justice of the Peace.
My whānau have always supported Te Whakatōhea Maori Trust Board. Over the last seven years, I have actively worked within the Awhina Roopū to research a range of post settlement strategic plans, development strategies and organisational structures. This positions me well to support the immense mahi required to ensure the sustainability of our Iwi.
I would be privileged to represent my hapū and ngā uri o Te Whakatōhea to lay a strong foundation and strategic plan that delivers on the aspirations of our Iwi.
I am proud to be a candidate with deep roots in Ngāti Patumoana’s heritage, tracing my lineage to Matewiki Walker and Te Owai Tairua. For the past six years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as an elected trustee, a role I began when uncle Dr Ranginui Walker entrusted me with the responsibility of succeeding him on the board. Honoring his legacy and following in the footsteps of my father, Eru Walker as a Ngāti Patumoana trustee. This family legacy has instilled in me a deep commitment to our community.
Representing our hapū on Te Tāwharau would be an honor I would cherish. While I’m based in Auckland, I have the unwavering support of my wife and twin teenage daughters, providing a strong foundation for my responsibilities.
Professionally, I manage companies in Communications, Marketing, Design, TV Production, Animation, and Game Development. I’m actively involved in my wife’s business, Mana Recruitment, and oversee the Māori Pacific Job Board. My experience extends to current director roles in Whakatōhea’s fishing, marine companies and social services arm.
In 2022, I completed a Masters in Technological Futures, infusing my candidacy with innovative thinking. I believe visionary leadership is essential in our ever-changing world.
I’m dedicated to our community and bring extensive board experience and strategic acumen. I humbly ask for your support to continue representing Ngāti Patumoana and ensuring a prosperous future for us all. Together, we can chart a course toward a brighter tomorrow. Ngā mihi nui.
Tēnā koutou te whānau
Ko Karaitiana Poha Te Puke rāua ko Rangiwhātautau Poha ōku tīpuna
Ko Tarati rāua ko Ken Carrington ōku mātua
Ko Arihia Tuoro tōku ingoa
I am a Trustee for Terere Marae and have held governance positions on the Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board, Ōpōtiki District Council, Otānemutu , Nukutere and Te Waiti Land Trusts as well as Ministerial appointments to Bay of Plenty District Health Board, Poutama Trust, and Lotteries Oranga Marae. I have worked as a contractor in project management for the last 10 years with a qualification in a Master’s in International Business Management.
Like many, I have been involved in the settlement journey for quite a while and now look forward to Whakatōhea bringing to reality the many dreams and aspirations shared by you over the course of the last 6 years of negotiation.
We can be proud of what has been achieved in Settlement and the assets that will be returned to our Iwi, keeping in mind that our greatest asset is you , us , whānau , ahi kaa, hapū and our Iwi. Meeting your expectations to achieve your dreams and aspirations with over 90% of our whānau living outside the rohe is the wero/challenge. Your dreams and aspirations will need to be met through the sustainable management and development of near on a $140 million asset base.
I look forward to the challenge and would be honoured to represent Ngāti Ngāhere whanau as an inaugural Initial Trustee to Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea.
Ko Mākeo me Pukenui o raho ōku maunga
Ko Waiaua me Waiotahe ōku awa
He uri o Whakatōhea me Te Upokorehe
Ko Heretaunga Panenehu Pat Baker me Dawn Kincaid ōku mātua
Ko Kahukore Baker ahau.
Tēnā koutou katoa. I am a proud claimant for Rongopopoia and Upokorehe, supporting Te Upokorehe Treaty Claims Trust as Secretary and Kaiwhakahaere Rangahau since 2010.
2022/2023 – gave historical evidence on behalf of both Ngāti Rua and Upokorehe at Waitangi Tribunal Ngā Kōrero Tuku Iho Hearings. I firmly believe knowledge of the past will set you free.
As an experienced Māori public servant grounded in my Whakatōheatanga and my Upokorehetanga, I develop and execute Māori and Te Tiriti strategies, research, policies, and systems.
Current roles:-
Principal Analyst Māori, Research and Evaluation, Ministry of Social Development, [2017+]
Trustee: Panenehu Baker Whānau Trust.
Previous roles:-
Principal Māori Analyst Families Commission/Superu; Principal Advisor Māori HNZC; Principal Māori Analyst Biosecurity; Acting Director MAF Māori Strategy; Senior Analyst MAF Māori Strategy; Senior Analyst Te Puni Kōkiri; trade union organiser, negotiator & field officer 1985-1998.
Learnings from the past 40 years?
This is why I am standing as a general candidate.
Inspirational quotes from dad:-
‘Use your enemy’s arm as a ladder’. ‘Kaua e mate wheke, mate ururoa’!
Tēnā koutou katoa.
Ko Mākeo tōku maunga
Ko Waiaua tōku awa
Ko Ōmaramutu tōku marae
Ko Ngāti Rua tōku hapū
Ko Whakatōhea tōku iwi
Ko Okeroa (Olga) Thompson tōku mama
Ko Samuel Campbell tōku pāpā
Ko Jeanette Campbell tōku ingoa
I’m a Mama of four tamariki and have twelve Mokopuna. I was born in Whakatāne and spent my school years in the Waikato. In 1987 I relocated to Te Waipounamu as part of the Māori Trade Training apprenticeship scheme and have since raised my whanau in this rohe.
I’m currently an Executive Manager at Te Rūnanga o Maatā Waka, the Urban Maori Authority in Otuatahi located at Ngā Hau e Whā National Marae. I initially started as the in-house accountant and over the past 20 years have accumulated valuable experience and transitioned into managerial roles for contracts related to Corrections, reintegration for Māori, Whānau Ora, Education, Driving, Youth Services, and Mama and Pēpi.
As the Urban Māori Authority, we’ve established and upheld connections with Papatipu Rūnanga, gaining insight into the complexities of collaborating with hapū.
My skill set includes expertise in contract management, reporting, legal and regulatory compliance, strategic planning, financial management, human resources, and project management.
In addition to this, I have governance experience, serving on various boards in roles such as secretary and treasurer for several early childhood organisations, schools, sports groups, and social service agencies.
I’ve devoted my time and expertise to serving the urban Māori community here and aspire to contribute my skills to my iwi.
Ko Kutarere Upokorehe, Ngati
Patumoana and Ngati Muriwai oku hapū.
Ko Tirotirowhetu te maunga
Ko Te Kakaho te awa
Ko Kutarere te marae
Ko Muriwai tōku tipuna
Ko Whakatōhea tōku iwi
Ko Karauria Eruera tōku pāpā me Moera Mokeke Black tōku māmā
Ko Adriana Edwards tōku ingoa
Knowledge and Expertise: I bring extensive governance experience at whānau, hapū, iwi level and engagement experience with government pertaining to hapū and iwi interests.
Educational Background: Masters Indigenous Studies Honours; Post Graduate Diploma, Bachelor of Education, Te Pukenga Diploma Teaching
Succession to Iwi Claims: Wai 87 Whakatōhea Iwi Claim and Whakatōhea Tupuna Takutaimoana Iwi Application. When my father Karauria Eruera (Claude Edwards) passed away [2005] I succeeded to these positions as Principal Claimant on both claims.
Current Employment: Project and Claims Manager for Ngati Muriwai Authority Trust and Wai 87 Iwi Claim, representing these interests in the Waitangi Tribunal Wai 1750 North Eastern Bay of Plenty Historical Inquiry. I also Project Manage the Priority Whakatohea Tupuna MACA claim plus four claims related to customary interests, kaitiakitanga of the Takutaimoana.
Work Experience: Secretary of Kutarere Marae. Have worked for many years in the Maori Immersion and Mainstream Primary Education; on a joint Oasis and Ministry of Education Contract and full time Lecturing at Te Wananga o Aotearoa on the Bachelor of Teaching Primary School Degree.
I am passionate about wellbeing and committed to whanau, hapū and iwi development. I’m equally passionate about increasing educational outputs and fostering Kotahitanga that reflects collaborative hapū, iwi relationships.
Ko Matītī te Maunga
Ko Waiōweka te Awa
Ko Ngāti Ira te Hapū
Ko Ōpekerau te Marae
Ko Te Whakatōhea te Iwi
Ko Hemaima Kurei raua ko Matenga Moni ōku tīpuna
Ko Nadine Gray tōku ingoa
Tēnā koutou e te whānau
I live in Te Whanganui-a-Tara with my husband Chris, an Army Officer, and two school-aged tamariki. I grew up amongst a whānau of nurses and teachers, including my mother who was the first Māori Nurse Practitioner in Aotearoa, Janet Maloney-Moni (nee Watson).
With over 20 years’ experience working in health, my nursing career has afforded me the privilege of working at the frontline, in tertiary education, and Māori health strategy and policy in central Government. My current mahi as Chief Nursing Officer Te Aka Whai Ora, Māori Health Authority, is a kaupapa that is established to realise and fulfil the promise of better health outcomes for our people, to hold fast and not let go of that vision.
If elected as a General Trustee for Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea, I will work collectively to enable strategies that prioritise and lead change towards future-focused models of wellbeing that ensure our whānau, hapū and iwi thrive and flourish. We must be bold and reimagine our future through the trusted voices of our people.
My strategic expertise in Māori health is to drive the focus on hauora Māori solutions that benefit our uri both today and tomorrow. My professional competencies and personal attributes of respect, high trust and effective collaborator will enable our iwi, hapū and hapori whānui to be empowered, consulted and informed. The role of Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea has an obligation to those who went before and those who support us now. In partnership, I am determined to provide a better future for ngā mokopuna.
Nō reira, tēnā koutou kātoa.
My name is Te Ringahuia Hata, my mother Te Aroha Rangi was born and raised at Waioweka Pā and my father Jimmy Hata was raised at Te Rahui valley, he is from Ngāti Rua and Ngāti Patu. My parents brought us home to both marae to stay connected to our tūrangawaewae, although we spent more time at Waioweka due to the influence of my grandmother Rawinia Rangi. My passion and advocacy for justice stems from my grandmother.
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and Japanese and speak Te Reo fluently. My career led me to living in Japan for some 12+ years, then Beijing, South Korea and Shanghai. I have travelled extensively throughout Southeast Asia teaching English and event managing international Expos for the NZ Embassy.
After a 20-year international career, I moved back to the Bay of Plenty and entered the law profession to refocus my perspective to Te Tiriti/Treaty jurisprudence and law. I am currently advocating for Tikanga to be recognised as the first law of this country as a lead claimant in cases before the High Court on behalf of Ngāti Ira.
I seek a role as a trustee on Te Tawharau to ensure accountability, transparent processes and the Tikanga of hapu rangatiratanga is at the forefront of any decisions made regarding tribal assets and redress of resources that belong to hapū first and foremost.
Ko Whakatōhea tōku Iwi; Ko Ngāi Tamahauā tōku hapū; Ko Nicholas Helyar-Magill tōkuingoa.
I grew up outside of Ōpōtiki, and have been reconnecting to our iwi, building links that my whānau have lost due to raupatu. I am working with Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti producing the upcoming book that will accompany their recorded album with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.
During the Settlement process, I was invited to contribute two Zui; Speaking on how I saw the settlement benefitting our people.
I am a master’s student at the University of Waikato, my thesis research is the promotion of endurance sports to Māori, creating an environment where they can thrive physically and spiritually. I have a double major in Māori and Indigenous studies, and Political Science.
My work experience is in financial accounts, management, and hospitality. I am a confident communicator and effective decision maker.
If successful, my political and policy background, and financial management skills can contribute to the establishment of Te Tāwharau o te Whakatōhea.
As a rangatahi I aspire to work alongside the established leaders of our iwi to set strategies that will allow our people to flourish in happy, healthy, and new environments grounded in tikanga of te Whakatōhea.
This is the age of the rangatahi, the future is in our hands to build on the legacy of our former leaders.
Right now, I am a new face to many, in the coming years I will become a friendly and familiar one to all te Whakatōhea.
Tēnā koutou katoa
Ko au te mokopuna o Pakū rāua kō Pomare Wikotu, te tamāhine o Betty rāua ko Jim Turiri Edwards.
It is a great honour to put my name forward for considerations in the election process of Te Tāwharau O Te Whakatōhea. In the past it has been difficult to contribute to iwi and hapu activities as family commitments have dictated my availability. As retirement is on the horizon I have the time and experience to give back to my iwi/hapū.
I have a degree in Business Management and have years of experience in financial and Risk Management and strategic planning.
As the Maori Community Officer for Inland Revenue I was involved in resolving taxation obligations of Iwi, Hapū, Marae, Trusts, Kōhanga, Kura and individuals personal taxes.
I have worked in the Oil and Gas Industry, Singapore owned and operated. I reported to the Directors and managed the financial and taxation obligations of the company.
I have been both a Trustee/Chair and a Board member in a number of organisations such as the Taranaki District Health Board, NZ Occupational Therapy Health Board, New Plymouth Croquet Association and a number of whanau Trusts. I have held Chair, Treasurer and Secretary positions.
I am currently employed by Te Korowai O Ngaruahine Trust (6 Years) as their Iwi Registrar. I work with Uri, connecting them to their whakapāpā and hapū. I support Uri applications for scholarship and grants, to housing programs and pēpi packs.
Nga Mihi
Ko Te Whakatōhea, ko Ngāti Pōrou, ko Ngāi Tūhoe, ko Ngāi Tai ngā iwi
Ko Te Ūpokorehe te hapū
Ko Kutarere te marae
Ko Ropiha Williams raua ko Patricia Collier tōku tipuna
Ko John Williams raua ko Teena Williams tōku mātua
Ko Susannah Kitchener tōku ingoa
I whakapapa to Kutarere Marae through my great-grandparents Hone Te Ware Collier and Winnie Puti Biddle. I was born in Whakatāne and completed my schooling there, where many of my exam results were in the Top 1% for Australasia.
My husband and I have a business supporting scaffolding apprentices on their learning journeys as adults, including many rangatahi Māori. Our mahi has a strong focus on nurturing a positive learning environment, especially for those who may have struggled at school.
I would love to represent rangatahi on Te Tāwharau and am keen to understand and communicate what we want collectively as the next generation. I would also like to help focus on the education and upskilling of uri and identify and unlock opportunities for whānau to live, prosper and raise their children at home. I am proficient with technology and the digital space and would love to use these skills to help keep the connections strong with our Whakatōhea whānau, including those living afar and abroad.
I’m a great communicator, both written and verbal, and an active listener. I would love the opportunity to learn from and work alongside other trustees and kaumatua, to lead our generation in the future.
Tena tātou te iwi whānui o Te Whakatōhea
Ko Paea Georgina Papuni ahau, tētahi o ngā mokopuna a Raimona Papuninō Ngāti Rua.
I completed my primary education at Omarumutu and St Joseph’s Schools, Opotiki; my secondary at Sacred Heart Girls College, Hamilton; Bachelor of Arts at the University of Auckland; and Diploma of Teaching at Auckland Teachers College.
Post university, I spent 30 years in Fiji and Asia. While raising my two daughters, I taught for a decade in Fiji, and undertook charity work projects in The Philippines and Bangladesh for two decades. My focus throughout was on empowering people to achieve their own potential. These experiences honed my innate empathy, sense of justice, and belief that people are indeed the most important thing in the world.
In retirement I am an active kaumatua, engaged in two East Coast small businesses – beekeeping and mowing. I have 15 years’ experience in Mātauranga Māori as a Rongoa practitioner; and gained a Diploma in Rongoa through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, in Opotiki in 2022.
Having read through the Trust Deed thoroughly, I believe my critical thinking skills and my extensive life experiences have prepared me for a guardianship role. I am committed to ensuring that good governance, common sense and a wider view of economic potential prevail; I believe that these elements would be essential to the realisation of the future aspirations for our tamariki and mokopuna.
Kei a koutou te tikanga.
Ngā mihi mahana
nā Georgina
B.A., Dip. Tchg; Dip Rongoa
Ka hika i taku ahi kimihia e te iwi teara o te tikanga i pai ai te noho i te ao nei, tēnei te tira hou tēnei haramai nei. Tohetohe ake nei, te aroha I ahau ko Te Whakatōhea!
Ko Mātiti, Maungārangi ko Tarakeha ngā maunga
Ko Waioweka, Otara me Opepe ngā awa
Ko Opeke, Terere-Moari me Opape ngā marae
Ko Ngāti Ira, ko Ngāti Ngahere ko Ngai Tama ngā hapu
Ko Te Whakatohea, ko Ngāī Te Rangi ko Tūhoe ngā iwi
Born and raised in Opotiki, Marcelle is an elected board member for Ngāti Ira on the Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board and a Director of the Whakatōhea Fisheries Assets Holding Company. Currently in her first term on the Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board, Marcelle has an interest in tribal governance and was instrumental in the lead up to the signing of the Deed of Settlement for Whakatōhea. She is a member of Opotiki Mai Tawhiti and Waioweka Kapa Haka. Marcelle is also a Senior Strategic Advisor at Te Mātāwai, a certified Senior Associate at the Australia and NZ Institute of Insurance and Finance and former Operations Lead at IAG New Zealand. Her current role focuses on strategy, governance and giving effect to the iwi Māori and Crown partnership established for the purposes of language revitalisation. Marcelle also wrote the inaugural Māori Engagement Strategy for IAG New Zealand. Currently residing in Wellington but heavily involved in kaupapa in Opotiki, Marcelle offers fresh and future focused leadership.
As a former Councillor, Deputy Mayor and Mayor of Ōpōtiki District my strengths lie in governance with 10+ years involved in strategic and long vision planning, and concentrating on the overview thinking necessary for the whole community. My Local Government experience gives me many skills required to help our iwi from within the Te Tāwharau iwi entity. I believe my background in education and workplace programs for our rangatahi is also a strength and fits well in our need for promotion of the educational, economic and social advancement of our younger generations.
Planning for the future of Te Whakatōhea would be a privilege where I can put my considerable experience to work for the betterment of our entire iwi. Community thinking which encompasses all aspects of our people is of the utmost importance to me. Working within a governance entity would ensure my experience and my strengths within that structure are used for the benefit of everyone.
I returned from time teaching overseas and have been living in Ōpōtiki for 24 years now. I have been involved in many community organisations and currently hold the positions of Chair of the Ōpōtiki Community Health Trust, President of Ōpōtiki Grey Power and member of the ODC Creative Communities committee.
Ko Makeo toku maunga
Ko Waiaua toku awa
Ko Waiaua toku marae
Ko Ngāti Patumoana toku hapū
Ko Whakatōhea toku iwi
Ko Don Riesterer rāua ko Josie Riesterer oku matua
Ko Lyn Riesterer toku ingoa
Ko Tirotiro te Maunga
Ko Te Kakaho te Awa
Ko Te Poho o Tamaterangi te whare Tipuna
Ko Ani i waho te whare kai
Ko Te Huinga o te Ao te Kohanga reo
Ko Kutarere te Marae
He mokopuna ahau o Nick me Mary Tapiki
Ko Sonny Te Hurinui Tapiki toku Papa
Ko Tina Marie Smith toku Mama
Ko Tania Marie Tapiki Smith ahau
Tena Koutou,
I am honoured to be nominated by my Upokorehe Kaumatua Wallace Aramoana and Trevor Ransfield to stand for Te Tawharau o Whakatohea Board as General candidate.
My sincerest gratitude to Upokorehe and TUCT for their nomination.
My quest to uncover my true whakapapa led me to Upokorehe, a community fiercely safe-guarding our whenua, rohe, papakainga, and our people’s future. Reconnecting with my Upokorehe whanau is a profound homecoming, igniting deep passion within to embrace the kaupapa as my own.
My expertise are dedicated to representing and safeguarding Upokorehe’s interests.
My skills are grounded in my passion for upholding Upokorehe’s tino rangatiratanga.
Kia ora tātou. He mokopuna ahau o Paki Withers rāua ko Mihitaina Tairua, mokopuna hoki o Sidney rāua ko Isobella (Daisy) Waterson. Ko Elizabeth Waterson tōku māmā. Nō ngā hapū katoa o Te Whakatōhea, hēoi, ko te tihi o tōku manawa, ko Ngāti Patumoana te hapū. An iwi voice on various iwi leadership platforms for over 30 years. Current iwi rep and chair of the “Mai nga Kuri ā Whārei ki Tihirau” iwi customary fisheries forum” – a collective of Bay of Plenty iwi, including Te Whakatōhea who sit at the table. I have over 30+ years of governance experience, where kaupapa Māori is at the forefront, and the tāhūhū kōrero of our whare. I was taught our local iwi history and whakapapa by our Whakatōhea kaumātua, including those of my whānau who have long since departed from us. A native speaker and kaiwhakaako o te Reo Māori. As your hapū representative and Whakatōhea Trustee I will ensure that our Iwi will be well represented and positioned to provide the best for our people. Kāore ahau i te tangata waha pakaru, hua kore – I am a doer not a talker. We must remember our past but seek to move forward into the future. I seek your support to be a member of Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea to represent your views, whakaaro and aspirations.
Nākū i roto i ngā mihi me te arohanoa
Hone
Kia ora e te Iwi, ko Duane Trembath tōku ingoa. I want to honour our tīpuna by using my experience in governance, finance, and strategy to improve education, health and wellbeing outcomes for all of our iwi. I am passionate about protecting and growing our cultural, natural, and economic assets to enrich the lives of tangata whenua and those to come.
I have two children of my own. I have a career spanning 20 years made up of commercial, financial, and business leadership roles. I am currently the Chief Financial Officer for Tourism New Zealand where I am responsible for financial planning and analysis, compliance, audit and risk, treasury, property, and procurement.
I am a Board member and the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee for a charity called Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG). GRG is an organisation that empowers over 6,000 grandparents to provide a safe, secure and nurturing environment for more than 19,000 tamariki and rangatahi, 40% of which are Māori.
I am a member of the Institute of Directors, I have a Bachelor of Business with majors in Accounting and Management from Auckland University of Technology (AUT). I am a Chartered Accountant and Registered Mentor with Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand.
He taonga rongonui te aroha ki te tangata
Tēna koutou katoa
As a proud descendant of Te Whakatōhea, affiliated to Ngāti Patumoana, I am passionate about the prosperity of my people. Although I was born and bred outside of our tribal boundaries, my family and I have maintained our connection to our whenua, marae and iwi. We understand the importance of whakapapa and my tamariki are acutely aware of who they are and what makes them Te Whakatōhea.
Currently serving as Deputy Principal at a High School in Hamilton, I bring a wealth of experience in leadership, policy, and decision-making to the table. These skills have equipped me with the capacity to navigate complex issues and effect positive change that leads to meaningful and tangible outcomes.
My desire to serve on Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea is steeped in a profound passion for our rangatahi Māori achieving educational success as uri o Te Whakatōhea. Tribal identity, combined with a meaningful education are the tools needed to be successful and, if I am fortunate to be elected, will work with Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea and other tribal entities to realise Te Whakatōhea educational priorities.
As a candidate vying for the rangatahi trustee position, I am committed to working for our tribal entities to provide opportunities for our rangatahi in Te Whakatōhea to thrive. The possibilities are endless.
I request your support in this endeavour. Together, we can forge a path of growth and prosperity for Te Whakatōhea rangatahi, safeguarding our legacy for generations to come.
Ko Tirotirowhetu te maunga
Ko Te Kakaho te awa
Ko Te Whakatōhea, ko Ngāti Porou, ko Ngāi Tūhoe, ko Ngāi Tai nga iwi
Ko Te Ūpokorehe te hapū
Ko Kutarere te marae
Ko Hone Te Ware Collier rauako Winnie Puti Biddle tōku tīpuna
Ko Ropiha Williams raua ko Patricia Collier tōku mātua
Ko John Williams tōku ingoa
I was born and bred in Ōpōtiki, spending my childhood at my grandparents homestead in Wainui, attending Ōpōtiki School and Ōpōtiki College, before completing my fitter-welder apprenticeship at Ōpōtiki Engineering.
I went on to run a contracting business supplying labour to industrial sites around the motu. Then founded an NZQA-accredited welding school, that supported rangatahi struggling with traditional schooling.
Currently I am a contract HSE consultant/advisor and have experience managing large groups working with large organisations and multi-million dollar budgets. I also contract to various Private Training Establishments as an Assessor/Trainer, training NZQA qualifications.
I recently had the privilege of working as Project Manager at Kutarere marae, to manage renovations through the PGF funding stream. This kaupapa employed whānau, giving them paid mahi, deepening their connection to the marae, instilling confidence, and providing opportunities to gain industry qualifications.
I have strong project management skills, am able to apply critical thinking, and have a solid understanding of commercially viable opportunities. I am people driven and love helping others, especially rangatahi, to develop confidence and realise their potential.
I would be humbled by the opportunity to help guide Te Whakatōhea into a prosperous future.
Ko Courtney Papuni tenei.
Ko Taku Nikora (Rewita) tōku tipuna kuia.
I’m standing as a candidate on behalf of Ngai Tamahaua for the Te Tawharau elections.
18 years ago I married Damian Papuni at Opape. Together we raised four kids.
The most rewarding project to date, being in charge of hapū communications and engagement on the restoration team for our tipuna whare, Muriwai. It was important to us to keep our hapū informed across the globe. It was hard work met with many challenges and many weekends of working bees with our kids and our Ngāi Tamahaua whānau.
One of the most impactful moments of my life was watching our Nannies dancing their way into hākari at our opening while Ngāi Tamahaua whānau sang them into Tapairu.
I work as a Census Partnerships Adviser for Statistics NZ and previously as an Area Lead Facilitator before that, in Iwi Data Sovereignty. I have two businesses: Squad Nation focusing on health, fitness and wellbeing co-owned with my sister and DreamTeams Aotearoa focusing on team and leadership development.
What I know to be true is that our hapū want to be informed on decisions made at iwi level on our behalf and why. I know Ngāi Tamahaua wants their voice to be fairly represented at governance level. Even though Te Tawharau will make decisions on behalf of Te Whakatōhea as a whole, our hapū voice matters. I’m asking our hapū to consider me an option to be one of those voices.
Mauri ora
Ana Muriwai tō ringa te waka.
He mokopuna ahau nā Kimohia me Mokomoko me Te Hereripine me Ranginui..e i ko Ngai Tamahaua e.
For 35 plus years, I have worked in our community with a focus and passion for closing the opportunity gap in education to advance our whānau. These roles have enabled me to work directly with whānau, hapū, iwi and organisations across different sectors in education, health, cultural arts, heritage and research. I have a strong sense of community and hapū development and am passionate about building cultural capability, protecting and preserving mātauranga to ensure a more sustainable future for our next generations as kaitiaki of our taiao and wai.
These passions have been inspired by the teachings of my pakeke and tūpuna who imprinted the core foundations of mana, ngākau māhaki, manaakitanga, aroha and wairuatanga, and what it means to serve our people.
I am privileged to hold leadership roles in Ngai Tamahaua and Whakatōhea and if elected, I would ensure that your voice is heard and that all uri of Whakatōhea have access to fair and equitable resourcing and services. I will continue to work to bring positive transformational change and to improve better outcomes.
I heke mai ahau i ngā kāwai whakapapa ō te Noaia i a Mokomoko me tana makau i a Kimohia, kāti ake he mokopuna tēnei nō Ngai Tamahaua, Te Whakatōhea whānui.
Rooted in the rich tapestry of Te Āo Māori I’ve embarked on a journey of lifelong learning. Growing up under the teachings of my pākeke, Māori traditions and values became the bedrock of my character. This cultural foundation ignited my passion for serving my people.
I worked closely with executive management pioneering frameworks for service development and fostering cultural competencies within our organisation. My commitment to equity and inclusivity has guided our organisation ensuring that whānau, hapū and iwi are at the heart of our mahi.
With Māori wisdom and values as my compass, I continue to advocate for what my people believe is right and for what honours diversity and empowers the next generation.
With deep passion for Whānau Ora and strategic thinking, I contributed to innovative initiatives and currently work in adult education providing learning programs to equip our whānau with recognized tohu.
If elected I will be the voice for the voiceless, I will remain steadfast in my commitment to promote fair and equitable processes. I will work tirelessly to ensure that Te Tāwharau is inclusive of all uri of Te Whakatōhea. My unwavering commitment is to serve my people to the best of my abilities. I promise to be a strong and relentless advocate for your needs and concerns.
Nei te aumihi ō te ngākau
Tēnā koe / tēnā koutou
Nōku te hōnore ki te mihi atu ki a koe, hei pānui tēnei tono
KO WAI AU?
46 year old husband to Courtney and pāpa to 4. Self-employed business owner for 18 years, I have been based in Ōpōtiki the past 10 years. Often associated with Ōpape due to whānau connections and rebuild of Muriwai a few years back; I have always been registered with Ngāti Rua due to my Pāpuni whakapapa. I believe I have the skills, experience (both personal and professional), willingness and energy to be a valuable addition.
I believe in:
WHAT SKILLS DO I HAVE?
WHAT EXPERIENCE DO I HAVE?
WHAT WILL I DO?
As Trustee for Ngāti Rua, I will:
FIND OUT MORE at facebook.com/damian.papuni.whakatohea
He mokopuna tuarua a Raimona Papuni. Ko Bob raua ko Mary Grave ōku mātua.
Being nominated to represent my hapū is an honour, privilege, and opportunity to share my skills while providing a collective and inclusive approach for the future of Ngāti Rua and Te Whakatōhea.
As a chartered accountant I have over 20 years’ experience in finance and bring a wealth of financial acumen and commercial knowledge to guide our future decisions. In my governance roles I serve as the Ngāti Rua Advisory Trustee for Te Whakatōhea Fisheries Trust and as an Associate Director at Moana NZ, the largest Māori owned fisheries company.
During the week you can find me at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi in my current position as Manager of Executive and Corporate Decisions. This role supports my passion to enhance operational efficiencies and foster a culture of excellence through internal audit, risk management, strategic leadership, and investment planning. Key skills required for the success of Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea.
I am dedicated to supporting our ahi kaa who entrusted me to lead several Ōmarumutu development projects. Since 2019, I’ve played a pivotal role in securing over $1.15 million in funding for initiatives. Including digital connectivity, feasibility studies, renovation upgrades, and the construction of Te Manutaurehe our whare manaaki and wharepaku facilities.
Ultimately whānau, I remain grounded in the values of pono, tika and aroha. These principles guide me as I strive to be the best possible representative for Ngāti Rua and our tirohanga hou.
Ko au, ko au, ko Tutamure!
Mīharo katoa au ki te tū hei kanohi kitea mō tātou katoa o Ngāti Rua. Ka Whakatōhea au i ahau! Kei roto i te tū, ka whai atu tātou i tēnei mea te orangatonutanga.
I whakatipu au i ngā rekereke a ō tātou pākeke i te wā i ā rātou e takihui ana, e rotarota, e katakata mai ana. I rangona e au i ō rātou nā reo, mita e rere ana i te pō te awatea. Inā ka nanao atu tōku ringa ki te kakau o te hoe, i hoeā e rātou, hei kawea e tātou i ō rātou nā moemoeā ki te tīketīketanga o te whakaaro. Kei te whārua o Te Rāhui au e noho tuturu ana. He tohu tēnā a ōku nei whakaaro, ko au te whenua, ko te whenua ko au.
Ko taku wawata, ka toitū tonu te whenua, ka whai ora te tangata, otirā tātou ngā whānau, ngā hapū o Te Whakatōhea. Ko te mea nui ki ahau nei, ko ngā mokopuna – nō rātou te ao.
I have a demonstrated commitment to my people and the skills, knowledge and heart to represent our hapū Ngāti Rua. I work at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuirāngi and hold several leadership roles that support the governance and administration of our ancestral lands.
I stand for my whānau, my mokopuna, my hapū, my iwi and my community.
Tāwharautia mai te aroha x
Vote Te Wheki Porter for Ngāti Rua!
Kia ora e te whānau, Ko Kim Cable taku ingoa. Ko Charlie rāua ko Phoebe Walker ōku tīpuna. Ko Andrew rāua ko Joss Walker ōku mātua.
My working experience is across many sectors including the corporate, public, and educational sectors. I have managed my own marketing business for 12 years working mainly with community and social service organisations, developing strategic direction and providing marketing and communications support and advice. I am currently the marketing advisor for Tainui Group Holdings, the asset holding company for Waikato-Tainui. Our role is to grow the assets for the iwi.
I have governance experience working with charitable trusts. Working for Community Waikato, our role is to build the capacity and capability of the trusts and organisations we work with. I am a current community trustee for Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa, a Māori health organisation working mainly with Māori and Pasifika communities. I regularly volunteer serving our community through various charities, including the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Brain Injury Support Trust, and The Serve.
With my husband Geoff, we have 2 boys, Dillon, and Jackson. I am excited about the opportunities our Whakatōhea settlement will provide for our future generations. I would love the opportunity to bring the skills I have, and am continuing to grow, to serve Ngāti Patumoana and Te Whakatōhea. I am passionate about my iwi, hapū and whānau, and would feel privileged to continue the good mahi of those who have gone before us to build a thriving Whakatōhea.
Ka moe a Ruamoko ki a Te Puritanga ka puta ko Te Pikituangahuru. Heke iho ko Taiamaroi, ko Eria, ko Tairua Apanui, ko Mihitaina, ko Tarake. Ka moe a Tarake i a James Taipo Kelly, ka puta ko Edith, hekeiho ko Gerardine, ko ahau – ko Te Puritanga Jefferies.
I tipu ake au ki te maru o tōku maunga a Makeo, ki Tirohanga. He mokopuna nā te kohanga reo ō Terere, kuraina ki Omarumutu me Te Kura Mana Māori o Maraenui, kātahi ka haere ki te Whare Wānanga o Otakou.
My professional career started as a Consultant for a Māori firm in Rotorua called GHA working with a range of Māori organisations – iwi, hapū, whānau and businesses on strategic opportunities, including development of the BOP Māori Economic Development Strategy. Since then I have had roles within central and local government, at territorial and regional levels, across a range of Māori economic development roles.
Currently, I am on maternity leave from my role as Manager Strategic Initiatives – Te Ao Māori at Te Pūtea Matua (Reserve Bank of NZ). I currently serve on two boards – Te Matarau a Māui and Whakatōhea Fisheries Asset Holding. I live at Tirohanga.
It is an exciting and crucial time for our iwi establishing a foundation for the future of our hapū and iwi. I believe I have pukenga and wheako to support Te Tāwharau to shape the vision for our whānau, whenua, awa and moana o Te Whakatōhea, hei oranga mō ngā uri whakaheke.
Ko Maude Te Rau Aroha Edwards ahau.
Ko Charles Aramoana me Fanny Davis ōku mātua.
I tipu ake au i roto i te rohe o Te Upokorehe, i waenganui i te aroha, me te mātauranga tuku iho o tatou kāwai rangatira.
Kei Ōhiwae noho ana au.
I am proud of my whakapapa and stand firm in upholding the tino rangatiratanga of Upokorehe.
Over the past 20yrs I have demonstrated my commitment to Upokorehe in these roles:
Other experience – 15 years in the public sector at Te Puni Kōkiri, and 5 years as a business owner/operator, managing customer demands.
Today, I continue in my role as Upokorehe Relationship Manager achieving positive outcomes for Upokorehe.
E noho ana au i te koko ki Ōhiwa, kei reira te whānau a Tairongo
E noho ana anō i te koko ki Ōhiwa, whakarongo rua aku taringa ki te tai rā o Tuarae o Konawa e āki ana mai ki uta rā, ki te whānau a Tairongo.
I too sit on the shores of Ohiwa harbour, listening to the waters out on Tuarae o Konawa as she comes pounding in, those familiar voices that make up our whiinau of Tairongo, Te Ūpokorehe of Whakatōhea. It is with a humble heart that I put myself forward for Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea, to settle those Tairongo voices as they ring in my taringa and graciously accept their karanga.
I am currently the Trustee Chair for Kutarere marae, humbly serving our whānau since returning home in 2006, after 22 years service in the NZ Army. This period of learning, listening, observing as guided by our whānau has given me the skills, knowledge and experience to sit at the governance level. I have additional experience leading the Tuhoe Fisheries Quota Limited as Director Chair for 9 years, chairing Te Pū Wānanga o Anamata, and various roles on a number of Māori Lands Trusts as well as various mahi with local community groups and as the President of the Whakatāne RSA, the 3rd largest RSA in Aotearoa.
Should I be elected onto the board of Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea, I/we will ensure that our Te Opokorehe voice is always heard, as we collectively move Whakatōhea into a new tomorrow.
E noho ana au I tekoko ki Ōhiwa
Kia whakarongo rua aku taringa ki te tukinga rae ō Kanawa
E aki ana ki uta rā ko te whānau a Tairongo!
Ko Ngaire Ngamoki tōkuingoa.
E noho ana au ki Ōhiwa
I firmly believe that everyone deserves the right to be treated with dignity, their rights as human beings are respected and they are treated fairly. These principles have guided me both professionally, and personally, and are the key determinants, for standing as a candidate for Upokorehe as a representative on Te Tāwharau o te Whakatōhea; to ensure that there is transparency, equality, and accountability, by the new poari in the distribution of our taonga back to our people.
My formal qualifications include a Bachelor of Education – Primary and most recently graduated with a NZ Certificate in Emergency Care. I was formerly employed by Kutarere School as Office Administrator, and Te Waiariki Purea Trust as YDP Team Leader.
Over the last 25 years I have been a representative on multiple Boards and Trusts. However, my greatest achievements have been leading the development of a Community Māra kai, for whānau, in Owhata, Rotorua. Co-leader of the Upokorehe Covid Response Team for our Community and most recently working to restore clean drinking water to our whānau on our papakāinga.
Be rest assured that at the forefront of my decision-making processes will be the protection of our mana whenua and mana moana for our mokopuna now and into the future.
Te tangata nāna i noho Whakarua Kārangaranga te muri Ka tutū ngā tamatea o te moana E ko au! Ko au! Ko au tēnei! Ko Tūtāmure!
Te Kahautu was born and raised in Ōpōtiki and belongs primarily to the Te Whakatōhea iwi and is a member of the Ngāti Ngahere hapū of Terere Pā. He holds a Doctorate in Philosophy; “Building the Cultural Capacity of Te Whakatōhea through kapa haka”. Te Kahautu is an expert in Tikanga and Whakapapa and he is an exponent in Whaikōrero, Mōteatea, Kapa Haka and Karakia. He is the tutor and composer for Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti and is currently the Mātaatua rohe delegate to Te Matatini. Te Kahautu has a strong background in governance, he is an elected board member for Ngāti Ngahere on the Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board 2004 – 2007, and 2011 to the present day. He is a member of the Te Whakatōhea Fisheries Asset Trust and is the Chair of Te Pou Oranga o Whakatōhea Health and Social Services. He is a director of the commercial company Whakatōhea Ōpōtiki Mussels Limited. Te Kahautu is the Chair of the Hāhi Ringatū o Aotearoa. He has held ministerial appointments to the Paepae Motuhake; Independent Panel that reviewed the governments Te Reo Māori Strategy, and Te Waka Toi, the Māori Board of the Creative New Zealand Arts Council. He was also the Mātaatua elected representative to Te Mātāwai the entity responsible for the retention of Te Reo Māori within iwi and communities. His expertise in Te Ao Māori and tikanga is sought out both nationally and internationally.
Ko Matītī te maunga
Ko Waiōweka te awa
Ko Ngāti Ira te hapū
Ko Ōpekerau te marae
Ko Te Whakatōhea te iwi
Ko Te Mini Kato Moni tōku kuia
Ko Jim Watson tōku koroua
Ko Janet Maloney-Moni tōku māmā
Ko Renay Jones tōku ingoa
Tēnā koutou e te whānau,
I live in Whakatāne with my husband Lewis and our three school aged tamariki. Together, we own and operate CrossFit Whakatāne and I am Deputy Principal (Māori Achievement and Equity) at Whakatāne High School. I am currently secretary for our Ōpekerau Marae Committee as well as a Trustee for Ngāti Ira. In addition, I am a board member on the Bay of Plenty Education Trust.
With over 20 years experience in secondary education, I have a keen interest in creating a better future for our rangatahi Māori that enhances identity and culture. If elected as a hapū trustee for Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea, I propose to connect to the knowledge that already exists in our own whānau, hapū and iwi and be a part of the creative process of developing future solutions that promote the educational, spiritual, economic, social and cultural advancement and well-being of the iwi and its members. I want to give back to our hapū and grow and support our whānau to navigate our rapidly changing world.
Nō reira, tēnā koutou kātoa
Ko Te Poono raua ko Taiaroa Rakuraku oku kaumatua
Ko Liz Rakuraku raua ko Wiremu Rosieur oku matua
Ko Amber Rakuraku-Rosieur ahau
Tēnā koutou katoa
Having been a staunch advocate for Ngāti Ira hapū has provided me with the opportunity to serve our whānau utilising a diverse range of skills and experience acquired across both private and public sectors including NZ Justice Department, Regional Council, District Council, Department of Conservation, real estate, legal services, early childhood education, community social services, logistics and business management.
Opportunities for growth and development are fundamental to the well-being and positive progress of our people and as such, must be sustainable and environmentally aligned with the principles of kaitiakitanga intrinsic to Te Ao Māori.
Integrity, transparency, accountability and engagement with hapū is critical in order for Te Whakatōhea to achieve our own mana motuhake so that we may adapt, evolve and flourish in the ever-changing landscape of the modern era whilst preserving taonga tuku iho for our future generations.
I currently serve as a trustee of Opeke Marae and Te Mana Moana o Ngāti Ira Trust in addition to having previously served three terms on the Whakatōhea Maori Trust Board. An opportunity to serve our hapū as a Trustee of Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea would be my privilege.
I am deeply honored by my nomination to represent Ngati Patumoana on Te Tawharau o Te Whakatohea. My journey began at Waiaua Marae, where I worked alongside my nana, Wairata, nurturing gardens and sharing stories of past generations. Throughout my involvement in our hapu, collaboration has been a hallmark. Shoulder to shoulder with cousins and the indomitable Aunty Mere, I’ve helped enhance gatherings through shared kitchen efforts.
During my decade-long tenure as our hapu secretary, I was enriched by the wisdom of
esteemed figures like Uncles Api Mason, Johnny Hata, Manny Mokomoko, Phil Kelly and Aunty Maryanne McGough, who infused our whakapapa and shared values.
Representing Ngati Patumoana, I’ll bring proficiency in organization and computer literacy, enhancing our adaptability in the digital era. My happy and sociable nature will facilitate connections within the community, fostering an atmosphere of openness and transparency. Hard work is second nature to me.
In this new chapter, I am dedicated to leveraging my life skills and experiences from diverse sectors, including hospitality, health, and forestry. My skill set encompasses administration, logistics, training, and team management, complemented by my Business studies.
If given the opportunity to represent Ngati Patumoana in this new capacity, I will carry the lessons, traditions, and aspirations of our people. My goal is to serve with dedication,
nurturing heritage while fostering growth. Together, we’ll navigate this venture, ensuring the legacy of Ngati Patumoana and Te Whakatohea thrives.
Naku te rourou, nau te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.
With humility and gratitude
Tena koutou e te whanau o Te Whakatōhea
I have been approached by several members of our Iwi in Whakatōhea about whether I would consider making myself available to stand as a nominee for Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea.
Initially my first thoughts were, do I have the relevant qualifications to represent our Hapu and Iwi, Am I good enough to do the job? And more importantly do I have what it takes to make a difference for the betterment of our Te Whakatōhea Iwi?
After much korero discussing these concerns and reassurance from whanau I believe I have the necessary attributes and qualities needed to represent our Te Whakatōhea whanau as a General Trustee of Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea.
Supporting all of our Marae and Community Organizations is one of the things I’m passionate about, providing whanau with the support and confidence to develop their organizations. Building the capacity within their whanau of their own organizations to apply for funding and improve their own systems and processes as they see fit is one of my goals when working with groups.
As our whanau begins this next journey with Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea there will be exciting opportunities and I propose I will contribute by ensuring our governance has a practical, common sense decision maker within their midst. Ensuring all of our Marae are fully supported by our new entity is a priority for me.
I would greatly appreciate your support to become an Initial Trustee.
Nga mihi
