Whanau/Hapu:

Te Whanau-a-Ruataupare, Ngati Ira

Background:

I was bred in Tokomaru Bay and privileged to be raised on our whanau estate at Hikuwai Station.  I still live in Tokomaru Bay, having returned home about 12 years ago.  I enjoy Te Hokowhitu Atu sounds and support Toko United Rugby and Ngati Porou East Coast.  My seasonal craving right now is local smoked [fatty] eel!  I enjoy contributing to our community, including doing the financials for Pakirikiri Marae and enjoy growing funds to help develop the Marae so that it continues to awhi whanau and manaaki manuhiri.

I’m proud to be a Nati - warts and all and I have a passion for Ngati Porou economic development.  I am inspired by our Ngati Porou pakeke, those at home and away too; they were raised on the fundamentals of being a Nati; Our pakekeuphold Ngati Porou reo me ona tikanga that reigned in the classical time of pre-colonial thought and deed.

Aspirations for Ngati Porou:

My aspirations for Ngati Porou is that Ngati Porou has a solid economic platform that is essentially founded on our God-given heritage that manifests as a confident, forward looking whanau and hapu base; We know who we are, where we’re going and we care about the unique resources that we own – those collective assets that make up our economic, cultural and physical environment.

Most importantly though, it is that Ngati Porou brings about the future well-being of our mokopuna and their mokopuna our way, ourselves - he iwi moke, he whanoke.