Apirana Mahuika
Apirana Cluster 2.

Whanau/Hapu:

Te Whanau-a-Hinerupe, Te Whanau-a-Rakaimataura, Te Whanau-a-Umuariki, Te Aowera, Te Aitanga-a-Mate, Te Whanau-a-Rakairoa, Te Whanau-a-Iritekura

Background:

I am Chairperson of Te Runanga O Ngati Porou and have been since its founding in 1987.  I am also Chairperson of the Tairawhiti Museum and a member of the Tairawhiti Development Taskforce.
I was a founding member and now Chairperson of Te Ropu Manukura, which represents the 16 Iwi working with Waikato University to promote higher education throughout the central North Island

I enjoy spending time with my whanau.  My mokopuna are my world.
Being Ngati Porou is enough of an inspiration for me.  But, added to that is an eagerness to leave a positive legacy for our tamariki and mokopuna.  I am also acutely aware that I need to make the most of everyday, because when you are over 70 years old (I won’t say how many years over 70), every day is a blessing.

Aspirations for Ngati Porou:

My aspirations for Ngati Porou are self-determination and self-reliance, which include wealth creation in terms of our social, cultural and economic resources.   Fundamentally though, my aspiration is for us to be good to one another and to care for one another.