Introduction to governance training for Tūhourangi uri
On Saturday 18th October, we held a governance training facilitated by EY Tahi focused on land blocks affiliated to Tūhourangi.
The idea for arose from the land block hui held in April and was set up as an opportunity for rangatahi to get an insight into governance training and for experienced trustees to ‘update’ their software and scout potential trustees.
Feedback from the training was overwhelmingly positive and future projects are being developed to further tautoko and foster this desire within our hapū and whānau to refine and improve their governance skills and capabilities.
E mihi ana ki a EY Tahi nā rātou te hui nei i taki, auahi ana e!
Governance Training for Tūhourangi
Te tira ārahi haere i te mana o Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao ki runga o Mākereti Papakura, ki Ingarangi rā anō hei mātārere mō te noho toa o te mātauranga Māori ki ngā wānanga ikeike o te ao!
Hoki rawa mai ki ngā mate o te waka o Te Arawa, ki te ika mōmona o Taupō moana, takoto tiraha e te Ariki Tā Tumu Te Heuheu VIII.
Tūhourangi Tribal Authority warmly invites trustees, committee members, and representatives of land blocks affiliated to Tūhourangi to attend a half-day Governance Training Hui on Saturday 18th of October 2025.
This hui, facilitated by Selwyn Hayes from Tahi, is designed to strengthen governance capacity and provide practical tools to support the effective management of our whenua. It is also an opportunity to connect and share whakaaro with others engaged in similar mahi across the rohe.
Ngā Taipitopito, details:
Places are limited to 40 participants
Held at Rydges hotel – with lunch provided – from 11am – 3pm.
Please confirm your attendance by 10th of October by contacting: taiao@tuhourangi.iwi.nz or 0210796598
We look forward to your participation in this important kaupapa for the future of our whenua and our people
Mauri ora
TTA x Pūrangakura Kawenata signing for new research kaupapa
On Tuesday 12 August 2025, Tūhourangi Tribal Authority joined seven kāinga from around the motu and Pūrangakura at Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae, Mt Albert, Tāmaki Makaurau to officially mark the beginning of a new rangahau kaupapa based on supporting kāinga aspirations for wai restoration and community wellbeing.
Te Maiora Rurehe (Pou Whakahaere Taiao, Environmental Manager) and Hana Tapiata (Kāinga Based Researcher) travelled up to Tāmaki Makaurau on behalf of TTA and shared some initial kōrero about their relationship with the various wai in our rohe and some of the challenges faced by our people throughout history to the current day.
This kaupapa commenced in early 2025 and will continue until the end of 2028. Wānanga and hui will be held with our whānau in due course, please ensure you are subscribed to our email list and following our social media channels to keep up to date.
AGM: Sunday 31 August, Te Pakira
Nau mai, tautī mai ki te hui AGM o Tūhourangi Tribal Authority. To be held on Sunday 31st August 2025 at Te Pakira Marae, Whakarewarewa.
AGENDA: 10.30am – 12.30pm
Karakia timatanga
Apologies
Previous minutes
Chairperson’s Report
Audited Report 2023 / 2024
Audited Report 2024 / 2025
Appointment of Auditor
Operational Reports 2023 / 2025
General business
Karakia whakamutunga
Followed by a light lunch.
Requests for an Electronic Annual Report and Previous Minutes can be sent toadmin@tuhourangi.iwi.nz OR downloaded here.
Hard copies will be available at the hui.
Tūhourangi Ahurei | What you need to know
Ānei rā ngā whakaritenga, here’s what you need to know in preparation for Tūhourangi Ahurei 2025 ki Ōtūkawa.
Pōhiri
The pōhiri will begin at 8.30am sharp. Kapa are encouraged to send a representative on behalf of their group if necessary
Parking
Parking near the marae is strictly reserved for our kōeke and those with mobility permits. All other vehicles must use public parking along Kaituna River Road and Pah Road. Turning into the marae carpark from the main road (Maketu side) is not recommended. It is safer to continue to Waitangi, u-turn at Te Matai Kura and head back to Ōtūkawa
Travel
Please avoid turning right into the marae from the Rotorua direction. Instead, we recommend the following:
• take the Maketū turnoff
• turn left into Young Road
• left into Pah Road
This route will lead you directly to the designated public parking areas
Hāngi
Hāngi will be ready at 1.30pm. Each kapa must have a designated person to collect the kai for your rōpū
Stalls
There will be kai stalls, an arts & crafts stall, along with information stalls so bring some pūtea with you, in case there is no eftpos available
Tēnā koa āta pānuihia ngā taipitopito nei, ā, mēnā he pātai, tukuna mai he karere. E mihi ana mō ō koutou whakaaro, āwhina, me te tautoko i tēnei kaupapa whakahirahira mā tātou.
Please share this pānui with your whānau to ensure everyone has the relevant information for a smooth, seamless day together as our iwi.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Te Rōpū Whakahaere o te Ahurei o Tūhourangi
Te Hū o Tarawera 139yr Commemorations
Proceedings for Tuesday 10 June 2025, 139 years since the Tarawera Eruption.
8.30am: Gather at Tarawera Trail Carpark in front of Ohomairangi Pou.
Mihi/ Karakia : James Hamiora
Kōrero : Mokopuna of whanau about Tarawera
M/C : Pereriki Makiha
9.00am: Re gather at the Memorial Opposite Buried Village
M/C : Pereriki Makiha to explain the proceedings
Karakia : Te Mauri Kingi to lay to rest the Pou Maumahara
10.00am: Gather again at Te Wairoa, Buried Village
Presentation by Doctor Nari Faires (Whānau Makiha) on her doctorate, based on Tarawera
Kapu tī me te paramanawa
Te Pou Maumahara - Tarawera
On Sunday 16th March 2025 the Pou Maumahara on Tarawera Road, just past Buried Village, was severely damaged beyond repair, due to the recklessness of an anonymous errant car driver.
This Pou Maumahara was erected in 2006 by Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao to commemorate 120 years since the eruption. It was named Te Rangipuawhe after our ariki at the time. Robert Rika was the tohunga whakairo.
A small group of concerned iwi members has held two meetings where the damage of the pou and a possible plan of action were discussed.
The Pou Maumahara is held in safe storage at Lake Tarawera.
Robert Rika who is now a whakairo restorer with NZ Heritage Trust [in his uncle’s former role] has carried out an initial assessment on the pou, recommending total replacement. A formal report will be submitted in due course to his trustees.
The Pou Maumahara is on the Rotorua Lakes Council asset register and an application for insurance cover is under consideration.
Updates will be provided as matters are confirmed.
Tuesday 10th June 2025 – Three important kaupapa for our Iwi
8:30am | Annual Mt Tarawera Commemoration Karakia - Ohomairangi Pou, Car Park Tarawera Trail
9:00am | Burial of Pou Maumahara - Memorial Site, opposite Buried Village [please park at Buried Village]
10:00am | Doctoral Thesis Celebration with Dr Nari Faiers - Buried Village
Nā Ngarepo Eparaima mātou ko Rangitihi Pene, Robert Rika, Daryn Bean, Pererika Makiha, Watu Mihinui, Karen Walmsley, Nari Faiers
“Guide Maggie” to posthumously receive Oxford degree
Kāore te aroha ki tō tātau kōkara
Unceasing is the love we have for our mother
The groundbreaking work of one of Rotorua’s most celebrated guides is being recognised nearly a century after her death, with the University of Oxford posthumously awarding a Masters of Philosophy in Anthropology to Mākereti Papakura – also known as Guide Maggie.
Mākereti Papakura (Tūhourangi, Te Arawa) was born in Matatā in 1873, moving to Te Whakarewarewa Valley after secondary school and eventually training to be a guide under Guide Sophia Hinerangi.
International media attention came when she hosted the high-profile visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall (late King George V and Queen Mary) at Te Whakarewarewa in 1901.
After touring a musical group to Sydney and then London, Mākereti moved to England before World War I, and commenced studies in anthropology at Oxford in 1922. She is still believed to be the first indigenous women to study at the University.
Mākereti died suddenly in April 1930, just a few weeks before she was due to present her thesis. Whānau members and scholars have advocated for her degree to be awarded ever since. The degree will be awarded at a special ceremony at Oxford at the end of September.
Tūhourangi Tribal Authority Chair, Kirikowhai Mikaere, says the announcement is a thrilling development.
“Like many others of her time, Mākereti’s mahi here at home and around the world has long been an inspiration to our people.
“No matter where she went or what she did, Mākereti was always conscious of her whakapapa and responsibilities to Tūhourangi, immortalising our culture and traditions – from a wāhine perspective – through her research.
“To see her work finally recognised in this way is hugely significant for Tūhourangi and Aotearoa, and is an enormous credit to her whānau and so many others who have advocated on her behalf over the past 95 years,” Ms Mikaere says.
“Even nearly 100 years on from her sudden passing, Mākereti continues to remind us of the strength and determination of our people, and the contributions we make in the world, every day.”
Tūhourangi whenua, roto and kōrero now on Apple Maps
“For Tūhourangi, this partnership with Apple Maps is more than just a technological collaboration — it reflects our role as kaitiaki, ensuring the protection and accurate representation of our cultural heritage" - Annie Balle.
As of this week, Apple Maps now displays Indigenous whenua in Aotearoa and Australia. Annie has been instrumental in leading this kaupapa for Tūhourangi, to ensure our whenua, roto and kōrero are displayed correctly only on the maps but also safeguarded in this hononga with Apple.
“By bringing our stories to a global audience, we can uphold our narratives, safeguard our data sovereignty, and demonstrate how Indigenous knowledge and technology can work together to promote cultural understanding and sustainability.”
New Zealand Herald article: Apple doubles kura programme to 5000 students, upgrades Maps with iwi place cards
Successful Tūhourangi Tribal Authority Nominees
On Saturday 22 March 2025 the final day of the Tūhourangi Tribal Authority Trustee elections took place at Whakarewarewa School in Rotorua.
There were three positions available, previously held by Watu Mihinui, Rangitihi Pene and Warena Morgan; Watu did not seek reelection this round. Seven Tūhourangi uri put themselves forward for nomination, providing a range of governance expertise and invaluable insights for registered voters to choose from.
At the close of voting on Saturday, the Returning Officer tallied the final in-person votes along with postal and electronic submissions. The successful nominees and new Trustees for Tūhourangi Tribal Authority are:
Warena Morgan
Lana Ngawhika
Rangitihi Pene
Official election results (including the number of votes each nominee received) can be found here.
Trustee Nominee Profile - Kiriwaitingi Rei-Russell
E te iwi, ānei rā ngā taipitopito mo te hunga e wāwatia ana kia tū hai māngai mo Tūhourangi Tribal Authority. Please find the Trustee nominee profile for Kiriwaitingi Rei-Russell below.
Kiriwaitingi is the daughter of Del and Tere Rei and mokopuna of Kiriwaitingi “Guide Kiddo” Maniapoto.
Kiriwaitingi has experience in leading organisations and held various roles including: Head of Māori Alliances at Zespri International, CEO at Māori Investments Limited (10 yrs), Corporate Affairs Manager at Te Arawa Group Holdings, and the inaugural General Manager at Te Arawa River Iwi Trust. She is a qualified lawyer and before moving into the iwi commercial space she was a litigation and commercial lawyer.
Kiriwaitingi has strong governance experience and has held a number of roles including Future Director of Auckland International Airport, Rotorua Economic Development Board and Ngāti Awa Group Holdings Ltd. She is currently the deputy chair of Pūtauaki Trust, deputy chair of Māori Investments Ltd and a director on the Scion Board. She is also a facilitator for the Institute of Directors on their Governance Essentials and Principles of Māori Governance Programme.
Kiriwaitingi would like to contribute to the vision and aspirations of the Trust, as they look to build for the future. She also has strong commercial knowledge and a sound undertstanding of the Te Pūmautanga o Te Arawa settlement and the future devolution of assets to the affiliate iwi/hapu.
Kiriwaitingi is married to Charles and has twin sons, Tamaarangi and Matiu who are both at university.
Electronic and postal voting is open now
In-person voting and the final day to vote will be held on 22/03/25
You must be a registered Tūhourangi Tribal Authority member to be eligible to vote, register here.
Trustee Nominee Profile - Rangitihi Pene
E te iwi, ānei rā ngā taipitopito mo te hunga e wāwatia ana kia tū hai māngai mo Tūhourangi Tribal Authority. Please find the Trustee nominee profile for Rangitihi Pene below.
Nō Ngāti Hinemihi, nō Ngāti Huarere ōtirā nō Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao ahau i te taha ki taku koroua. Nō Ngāti Hurungaterangi, nō Ngāti Te Rorooterangi, ōtirā nō Ngāti Whakaue hoki ahau ite taha ki taku kuia.
I am a trustee for TTA, Te Pūmautanga o Te Arawa, Te Arawa Lakes Trust, and Central North Island Iwi Collective.
I sit on the paepae of both Te Pākira, Whakarewarewa, and Hinemihi Marae, Ngāpuna, and as part of Te Whare o Tūhourangi, organize Hīkoi and Wānanga for Tūhourangi.
I compose for Te Kapa Haka o Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao, Raukura and Ngāti Tarāwhai.
I am chairman of the Hinemihi Marae and led the 2019, 2022, 20224, and 2025 delegations to London, to convince the National Trust UK, to agree-in-principle to return our Hinemihi carvings.
I presented to the 2013 Adjudication Panel for the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley on behalf of Tūhourangi Tribal Authority.
I also have a passion for the history of Tūhourangi and recorded our history in documentaries and books.
Electronic and postal voting is open now
In-person voting and the final day to vote will be held on 22/03/25
You must be a registered Tūhourangi Tribal Authority member to be eligible to vote, register here.
Trustee Nominee Profile - John Hurihanganui
E te iwi, ānei rā ngā taipitopito mo te hunga e wāwatia ana kia tū hai māngai mo Tūhourangi Tribal Authority. Please find the Trustee nominee profile for John Hurihanganui below.
Hone affiliates to Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao, Ngāti Tahu, Ngāti Whaoa, Ngāti Whakaue and Ngāti Porou.
Hone’s background is in education, health and organisational leadership having held senior positions in these sectors for nearly 40 years including: Head of School, Wairarapa Polytechnic (10 years), Director Māori & Pacific at Careers New Zealand; Executive Director Māori at the New Zealand Correspondence School; and Chief Executive of Whaiora – a health and social services provider organisation where he launched that community’s first VLCA medical centre created to serve the vulnerable and under-served.
Hone has served on Boards of Trustees throughout the schooling lives of his children as well as a few crown and non-government organisations. These board appointments include:
Masterton East School 1995 – 2000
Iwi Kāinga – Iwi/Māori Partnership Board, Wairarapa DHB 2000 – 2010
Takirua Productions Board of Directors 2015 – 2020
Te Kura Toi Whakaari - New Zealand Drama School Board of Directors current
Te Mātāwai Pae Motuhake o Te Arawa Board
Te Arawa e – Te Arawa FM Board
Whakarewarewa School - new
Outside of work, Hone enjoys studying mōteatea (archaic poetry), whakapapa (genealogy) and music. He is a singer/composer and playwright and was opera trained at an early age appearing in his first operatic performance when he was 14 years old. Hone enjoys supporting the senior kapahaka of Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao and singing with family and friends when the opportunity arises. Hone has 4 tamariki and 3 mokopuna and values whānau dearly.
Electronic and postal voting is open now
In-person voting and the final day to vote will be held on 22/03/25
You must be a registered Tūhourangi Tribal Authority member to be eligible to vote, register here.
Trustee Nominee Profile - Warena Morgan
E te iwi, ānei rā ngā taipitopito mo te hunga e wāwatia ana kia tū hai māngai mo Tūhourangi Tribal Authority. Please find the Trustee nominee profile for Warena Morgan below.
Ko Wārena Morgan tōku ingoa, nō te whanau Morgan, Wikiriwhi, Hiini, Hatō, Haira mē Wīhapi, ōtirā nō Tūhourangi ahau. He mokopuna au ō Eruera raua kō Rangiātuhi (nee Haira) Morgan, Te Autiti raua kō Kahukura (nee Hemopō) Wikiriwhi, mē Karaneihana raua kō Kerera/Niki (nee Hatō) Hiini.
I have a trade background as a Industrial Electrician and now work as an Automation Engineer for a local company in Rotorua. Previously I have worked as a Reliability Technician, Machinery Safety Technician.
In the past three years in my role as a Tuhourangi Tribal Authority Trustee, I have been an active member on:
Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa (Trustee, Audit and Risk Chair)
Tuhourangi Iwi Delegate to Timberlands (Tangihanga Permits)
Titokorangi and Whakarewarewa Forests Recreational Management Group(Member)
Te Hononga o Tuhourangi me Ngati Rangitihi Joint Administrating Body.(Chair)
Waimangu Volcanic Valley Director (Just recently appointed)
During this time I have had a role with:
Bay of Plenty Rugby Union (Rugby Director, Senior Club Working Group Chair)
I am an accomplished and energetic person with a solid history of achievement in management and decision-making. A motivated leader with strong organisational and prioritisation abilities. Areas of expertise include financial-delegation, health & safety and communication.
I am seeking re-election as a Tuhorangi Tribal Authourity Trustee so that I may continue the enjoyment of working for my iwi, and hapu in the many kaupapa that we face today.
Electronic and postal voting is open now
In-person voting and the final day to vote will be held on 22/03/25
You must be a registered Tūhourangi Tribal Authority member to be eligible to vote, register here.
Trustee Nominee Profile - Angela Grant
E te iwi, ānei rā ngā taipitopito mo te hunga e wāwatia ana kia tū hai māngai mo Tūhourangi Tribal Authority. Please find the Trustee nominee profile for Angela Grant below.
Ko Angela Grant ahau. He mokopuna ahau nā John Waaka rāua ko Maureen Kingi. Nō te kawai heke o Te Kuru o Te Marama Waaka rāua ko Rangitamoe Haira.
I grew up in the pā, spending time with my kuia and koroua at the Waaka whānau homestead on Huarere Street, and going for hīrere. I was involved in kapa haka from a young age, learning from my nan and mother, and now I’ve passed that on to my daughter.
I am a practising solicitor with a firm that advocates for Māori issues. I was part of the legal team for the Rotokākahi BOC to advise on the injunctions filed by the Rotorua Lakes Council. I also serve as a trustee on the Ngāti Whakaue Assets Trust and at Kariri Point at Tarawera as well as a small Ahu Whenua Trust in Awahou.
Alongside my legal and governance roles, I am passionate about preserving our reo, tikanga, and performing arts. I have been honoured to perform with Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao kapa haka at Te Matatini Tāmaki Herenga Waka and the 2024 Te Arawa Regionals.
My aspiration is to ensure strong representation, sound governance, and the safeguarding of our roto, taonga, whenua, and tikanga for future generations.
Electronic and postal voting is open now
In-person voting and the final day to vote will be held on 22/03/25
You must be a registered Tūhourangi Tribal Authority member to be eligible to vote, register here.
Trustee Nominee Profile - Lana Ngawhika
E te iwi, ānei rā ngā taipitopito mo te hunga e wāwatia ana kia tū hai māngai mo Tūhourangi Tribal Authority. Please find the Trustee nominee profile for Lana Ngawhika below.
E tū ana ki te taumata o Tarawera e tū takotako rā
Ka titiro whakararo iho ki te waka o Te Arawa
E rere nei i ngā wai karekare o Tarawera
Ka ū te waka ki uta ki te marae nukunuku-ātea o Te Pākira
Kia rongo i te reo pōhiri o Tūhourangi, o Ngāti Wāhiao
E mihi nei e karanga nei
For the past 30 years, I have worked in kaupapa Māori and corporate/business sectors, including seven years with Fonterra as Head of Māori Development, 10 years with NZ Fire Service as Pou Takawaenga covering Bay of Plenty, Te Tairāwhiti and Waikato-Tainui regions, and seven years with the former Te Arawa Māori Trust Board where I formed part of the Lakes Claim Settlement Team.
My governance experience includes serving on Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Te Pūmautanga o Te Arawa, Tūhourangi Tribal Authority, Te Arawa Management Limited, and the Board of the Institute of Directors NZ. I was also a Ministerial appointment to the Lakes District Health Board and currently serve on the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Māori Advisory Board.
Education: Master of Business Administration (MBA) (Distinction) - University of Waikato.
He uri nā Maika & Horiana Waaka, I have been married to Herby Ngawhika for 32 years. Our pride and joy are our tamariki, Taria and Te Manawa, and mokopuna, Erina.
Electronic and postal voting is open now
In-person voting and the final day to vote will be held on 22/03/25
You must be a registered Tūhourangi Tribal Authority member to be eligible to vote, register here.
Trustee Nominee Profile - Nari Faiers
E te iwi, ānei rā ngā taipitopito mo te hunga e wāwatia ana kia tū hai māngai mo Tūhourangi Tribal Authority. Please find the Trustee nominee profile for Nari Faiers below.
Nari is dedicated to advancing harm reduction through her current role at Health NZ, following her leadership in workforce development for the National SUDI Prevention Coordination Service at Hāpai Te Hauora. She serves as Co-President of the Public Health Association NZ and is a steering group member for Power to Protect, supporting Māori-led approaches in their work programme. Nari has recently completed her doctoral research, focusing on Indigenous frameworks of resilience as a response to crises building on the responses of Tūhourangi participants to the Tarawera eruption.
With extensive experience in Māori development and research, Nari has worked as a specialist in the Māori Growth Programme at Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development leading the country’s largest Māori Business Network. Her Master’s degree explored tribal governance in sacred spaces, deepening her understanding of iwi leadership and cultural integrity.
Nari has contributed across diverse sectors and communities, particularly supporting wāhine, through her work with the Cervical Screening Programme and Women’s Refuge. Her commitment to public health, Māori development, and community resilience is evident throughout her career.
Driven by a desire to give back, Nari seeks to join the leadership group for Tūhourangi Tribal Authority to support the hapū that sustains her and provides purpose. She brings deep cultural insight, governance experience, and a strong commitment to the wellbeing and advancement of Tūhourangi.
Electronic and postal voting is open now
In-person voting and the final day to vote will be held on 22/03/25
You must be a registered Tūhourangi Tribal Authority member to be eligible to vote, register here.
Election of Trustees
ELECTION OF TRUSTEES
22nd MARCH 2025
WHAKAREWAREWA SCHOOL
10.00am - 2.00pm
A ballot vote will be held to select up to three (3) of the nominees posted below for a position as trustee for Tūhourangi Tribal Authority.
Proxy voting not permitted, therefore;
Voting Eligibility
To vote, you must be registered on the Tūhourangi Tribal Authority O-RA beneficiary register by 4.30PM 12/03/25
To register or check if you are registered, click here
Postal vote
Send a request to the Tūhourangi Tribal Authority office:
Tūhourangi Tribal Authority, P.O. Box 6161, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua
Request must state your full name, address, date of birth and O-RA registration number (if known)
You will then receive a voting form by post
Completed form must be received by the Returning Officer by 4:30pm Thursday 20 March 2025
The Returning Officer, Tūhourangi Tribal Authority, PO Box 3138, Christchurch
Only one (1) voting form per person will be accepted
Electronic vote
Send request to Tūhourangi Tribal Authority administration email: admin@tuhourangi.iwi.nz
Completed voting slip must be received by the Returning Officer by 4:30pm Thursday 20 March 2025 to iroberts@electionz.com
Only one (1) voting form per person will be accepted
In-person vote
Those voting on the day must present themselves at the registration table to receive a voting form
Only one (1) voting form per person will be accepted
The Nominees are listed below, please click their name to read their nominee profile:
Tarawera Pipeline Fact Sheet
Kai aku nui, kai aku rahi! Tēnā tātou i ngā tauwhirotanga o te wā.
Rotorua Lakes Council has informed us that work to complete the wastewater pipeline is set to recommence in the coming weeks.
This kaupapa is about protecting Lake Tarawera. Without action, our taonga is at risk of irreparable pollution. But, we all agree that this action cannot come at the detriment of our other lakes and whenua.
As an iwi we know we have diverse viewpoints on this infrastructure construction and it is deeply personal for some of our whānau. We support right for peaceful protest and our focus is keeping our whenua, wai and whānau safe, both during the construction and into the future.
We encourage everyone to read the information about the pipeline, how it will work, and the additional actions we have ensured Council take to protect our whenua and wai.
We have created a fact sheet that you can read here.