Welcoming new voices
Leadership is a continuous thread woven through our Rongowhakaata whakapapa. Strength, tenacity, courage, innovation, responsibility, and vitality are expressed uniquely by our leaders, whether they are speaking on a stage, standing on the atea, working in the Wharekai, or leading in a Boardroom.
As we enter the season of Matariki Tāpuapua, the Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust looks towards the coming year, reflecting on the progress made in appointing new leaders across the Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust Group. We value the diverse skills and knowledge that each new leader brings to their role, and extend our appreciation to our newly appointed rangatira:
Joy Tautuhi - Elected Trustee
Tania Rauna - Appointment and Remunerations Committee member
Tiria Waitai - Audit, Risk, and Finance Committee member
Phila Lagaluga - Associate Director for TGHL
Maru Samuels - Director for RIAHC
Thank you for stepping up and adding your voice at the table.
Ka hura, ka hura te ara moana o taku waka
Ko koe e Pipitaiari, kei te awa o taku waka
Amohia ake au i te au nui, au roa, au whakatiketike!
Awhitia ake au i te ngaru nui, ngaru roa, ngaru whakahingahinga! Oi eke, oi eke!
Marewa, marewa
Marewa ki ngā wai tokitoki
Ki ngā hau kōhengihengi
Kia puta rā tāua
Ki te āio mōwai rokiroki!
Haumi e! Hui e! Tāiki e!
In March 2023, Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust opened nominations for Iwi members to fill a vacant trustee position on the Board. This role was intended to be short-term, covering the remainder of the current term, which would not exceed six months. Instead of holding a by-election, the Board opted for a streamlined nomination process to ensure efficiency.
Since this was a casual vacancy, the process was less formal than the 2021 election, meaning Iwi members did not need to receive mail notifications, cast ballot votes, or select their preferred trustee candidate. This process is guided by Section 2 of our Trust Deed.
Our Trust Board saw this an opportunity for someone to trial what it is like to be a Trustee and gain experience in the governance space ahead of the 2024 coming elections.
Because of the high caliber of applicants received during the nominations process, the Board took the opportunity to fill other vacant roles that existed across the organization, allowing the appointees to build their experience in the Iwi Trust governance space.
Get to know the new appointees
Joy Tautuhi - Appointed Trustee
I am 36 years old and a proud māmā of two. I am a mokupuna of Ngāti Maru. My connection to Rongowhakaata is through my father, who is the eldest son of Bessie Tautuhi, who was raised in Manutuke. Her mother was Rua Tamihana, born to Maraea Paku.
I am the eldest of four, raised in Tāmaki Makaurau, where I currently reside. Not being raised within Tairawhiti, has undoubtedly brought about its challenges. However, this has also been the catalyst for healing, reconnection and whakapapa.
I have taken pride in volunteering within my community in differing roles from school boards to coaching competitive club sports. I am currently an active foundation member of a branch off Te Roopu Wahine Māori Toko I Te Ora and the current Chairman of a Kōhanga Reo.
Tania Rauna - Appointment and Remunerations Committee member
Ko Puketapu toku maunga
Ko Te Arai toku awa
Ko Whakato toku marae
Ko Ngāti Maru toku hapū
Ko Drina Hawea toku mama, Ko Tiopira Rauna toku papa
Ko te wheke o Te Tairāwhiti ahau, ko Tania Rina Rauna toku ingoa.
I have had the privilege of living the legacy my parents left for my sister and me, serving whānau, hapū, iwi, and our hapori for nearly 30 years. Like them, I am dedicated to creating opportunities for whānau to realize their dreams.
I am the proud māmā of five beautiful tamariki who have taught me the importance of love, kindness, and strength. They have been my rock during hard times, reminding me that whānau always comes first.
I have always been passionate about youth advocacy, leading to my role as a child trauma specialist. More recently, I have served as the māngai for Tūranga tamariki mokopuna across the social sector, working with Police, Oranga Tamariki, Courts, MSD, Kāinga Ora, and Health.
Tiria Waitai - Audit, Risk, and Finance Committee member
With over twenty years of leadership in secondary education and contributions to Ministry of Education policy, my career has focused on advancing the educational aspirations of rangatahi Māori. I have driven local and national changes to improve educational policies and outcomes, bringing expertise in Science, Biology, Te Ao Haka, Te Reo Māori, Mātauranga Māori, and educational policy, offering diverse perspectives essential for community growth.
I am committed to nurturing our Iwi vision and upholding its principles and qualities. In this role, I aim to leverage my skills, experiences, and passion to support the Trust's objectives, collaborating with a diverse range of people to shape a brighter future.
Phila Lagaluga - Associate Director for TGHL
Proud of my Māori/Niuean heritage, my upbringing in Manutuke on the East Coast instilled in me the importance of family and cultural connection. These values, along with a commitment to embracing cultural truths and prioritizing the collective over the individual, guide both my work and my life.
Trained at AUT University in Auckland, I bring nearly 15 years of experience in the Advertising and Branding industry along with other business expertise. I am eager to bring my expertise and passion to advance the board’s mission with integrity, contributing to a future that honors our heritage and empowers our community.
Maru Samuels - Director for RIAHC
Maru (Ngāi Te Rangi, Te Rarawa, Ngai Takoto) brings with him extensive experience in fisheries management and deep policy expertise. He currently serves as a Director for Ngāti Maru (Taranaki) Fishing Company Limited, Deepwater Group, Trident Systems, and Inshore JV. Additionally, he is an alternate Director on the Board of Te Ohu Kaimoana and an elected trustee of the Ngāi Te Rangi Settlement Trust. Maru previously held the position of General Manager for the Iwi Collective Partnership and now continues to contribute as a Director.
