Mai Maketu ki Tongariro

Ko Te Arawa te waka

I was raised at Waiotapu on my whanau Papakainga.  I whakapapa to our Trust through my maternal grandmother, Kuini Ahipene Waihape whom is one of the many Matenga whanau.  With the exception of one year, I lived at Waiotapu until I was 14 years old.  I grew up in amongst our whanau and those who attended hui at our Marae, community events at our college or other sports club venues or kapa haka events.  Kapa haka has been a big part of my life both socially and competitively both at home, in Wellington, nationally and internationally.  I completed my secondary schooling in Murupara and then spent the next 15 years working in Wellington.

I am an experienced Administrator having worked in both the public and private sectors.  I have been a governor for 16 years on Ahuwhenua Trusts, Maori Reservation Trusts, Kohanga Reo, College BOT, Kura Kaupapa Maori and a Political Party.  I hold a Diploma in Maori Leadership and Governance as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Maori Laws and Philosophy.

Having returned from overseas in 2004, I became a mother of three.  Our tamariki are currently aged 16, 14 and 12.  We have lived in Maketu, Rotorua, at home and in Auckland. Our children have all attended Kohanga Reo and Kura Kaupapa Maori.  I am passionate about Te Reo Rangatira me ona tikanga which is a life long journey and commitment.

Equally so, I am passionate about my and our whakapapa and everything that that entails.  It is for this reason that I have committed a lot of time and energy into the many Kaupapa that I have been very fortunate to have been a part of in the past and most certainly going forward into the future.

“Tangata ako ana i te whare, te turanga ki te marae, tau ana”

A person who is taught at home, will stand collected on the Marae

In closing, here is a quote that is from one of my Ngati Porou tipuna.  Like many, I grew up with this whakatauaki:

E tipu e rea, mo nga ra o to ao

Ko to ringa ki nga rakau a te Pakeha hei ora mo to tinana

Ko to ngakau ki nga taonga a o tipuna Maori, hei tikitiki mo to mahunga

Ko to wairua ki Te Atua, nana nei nga mea katoa