Ngāti Raukawa

I was born and educated in Ōtaki.  Ngāti Raukawa is my iwi and Ngāti Kapu is my principal hapu, that nurtured me. 

After college I served in the military and completed 20 years’ service in 1991.  During this time, I returned home in 1984, married with two children.  At the same time, I embarked on my second career, serving my people and community. 

My crown appointments are Whitireia Park Board member 1996-2011; marriage celebrant 2005-2021; since 2005 a serving JP; OPTB member 2001-2007; OPTB member and Chairman 2023-2026. 

Volunteer positions 2004-2006 Otaki PHO; Raukawa ki te Tonga Trust 2011-2017; Te Runanga O Raukawa hapu rep 1991-1995 and Chairman 1995-1996, 1998-2004; Te Whakaminenga o Kapiti iwi rep 1994-2021.

Ngāti Tukorehe, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Porou

Keelan has spent many years working for his iwi in areas such as Māori Mental Health, Family Start, AOD Community Support and Kairaranga-a-Whānau with Te Rūnanga o Raukawa & Raukawa Whānau Ora.

Keelan is a Senior Advisor with E Tu Whānau within the Ministry of Social Development and is Chair of Te Waka Whaiora Trust in Porirua, Te Menenga Pai Nga Whare Hauora Trust in Wellington and Mana o Te Tangata Trust in Palmerston North.  Keelan is also Kaumatua for the New Zealand Nurses Organisation and is Kaiwhakaruruhau-a-Iwi with Te Korowai Aroha O Aotearoa.

Keelan believes that as a product of Whakatupuranga Rua Mano and the Hui Rangatahi programme, he now has the opportunity to give back to the ART Confederation.

Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kahungungu

Anne has held a wide range of governance roles from education, health through to Māori agribusiness. 

Anne had a long career in the New Zealand public service, including as Chief Executive of the Ministry of Youth, and Deputy Secretary at the Department of Internal Affairs and is a former member of Mana Whakahaere, Te Wānanga o Raukawa

In recent years her work has been focussed on resource management reform and Māori rights and interests in freshwater.   She currently works for Te Tai Kaha Māori Collective and Wai Manawa Whenua. She is also currently a Director of Wairarapa Moana Incorporation, which leads a large 12000 dairy cow farming operation.  

Anne firmly believes in our role as kaitiaki of our whenua, whānau and hapū development, and sustainable land use management for future generations.  

Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Whakaue, Muaupoko

Denise is Kaihautū for Mai i Te Ūkaipō at Te Wānanga o Raukawa and has been an employee of Te Wānanga o Raukawa for 29 years.

In the past Denise served as the Manager/Secretary of the Ōtaki and Porirua Trusts Board and has been a Board member for 15 years.  Denise is currently the Chairperson for Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki and Rangiātea Vestry Committee.

Denise is a strong proponent of te reo Māori and is actively involved with the many activities and developments that affect Ngāti Maiotaki and Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki. Through these activities Denise with her Tahiwi whānau maintain their close association with Raukawa Marae in Ōtaki.

Ngāti Maiotaki, Ngāti Kikopiri

Arini is a senior lecturer in History at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington. She serves as Deputy Convenor of the Human Ethics Committee at the University, is an editorial board member of the NAIS (Native American and Indigenous Studies) Journal and the Journal of Commonwealth Literature. She is also a member of Te Pouhere Kōrero, a collective of Māori colleagues interested in History.

Arini teaches undergraduate courses on Aotearoa New Zealand history, Māori historical methods, and Māori literature and textual culture and supervises postgraduate students within the broad ambit of History, Māori studies, and Indigenous studies.

The following words by Brazilian educator and philosopher Paulo Freire speak to Arini's approach to teaching and learning, "To study is not to consume ideas, but to create them and re-create them". Creative practice and curiosity lie at the heart of her approach to education. 

Ngāti Kapumanawawhiti

Mark started his working life in Banking before qualifying as an Electrical Fitter with the Electricity Department and working in Aotearoa at various hydro power stations and hi-voltage substations. On moving home to Ōtaki, Mark took up a position at Te Wānanga o Raukawa and is currently the Kaiwhakahaere for Te Whare Tūhono.

Mark has always had an interest in our taiao and has a desire to see our local taiao (environment) returned to a sustainable level of health. Being able to interact with our taonga in ways that benefit both our taiao and all people is something that he is passionate about.

As a former scholarship recipient, Mark is committed to helping the trust navigate a path to a future that is nurturing and respectful to the whenua and provide innovation opportunities for our people.

Ngāti Huia, Ngāpuhi

Ngāti Koroki, Te Atiawa ki Whakarongotai, Te Rarawa

Te Ata is strongly grounded in kaupapa Māori values and is dedicated to the wellbeing and aspirations of her people. Her mahi focuses on uplifting whānau, empowering rangatahi, and supporting mana motuhake across the Ōtaki community. 

Te Ata recently completed her Certificate 4 in Māori Governance through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, strengthening her skills in tikanga-led decision-making and strategic leadership. Alongside her role on the Ōtaki Porirua Trust Board, she also serves as an Alternate Board Member for Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki, contributing to kaupapa that protects and advances hapū interests, whenua, and mātauranga. 

He ngākau nui tōna ki te whanaketanga o te hapori, nurturing spaces where cultural, spiritual, and physical wellbeing can thrive for future generations. 

Ngāti Raukawa, Muaupoko

Ngāti Huia, Te Atiawa, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Tama ki Te Tauihu