He Pānuitanga
nā Ngāti Tamaterā Treaty Settlement Trust
Rāhina 31 Hereturikōkā
2026 | Monday 31 August 2026
He kōrero nā te Heamana
A note from the Chair
Nau mai, e te tau hou.
As we move through Hereturikōkā, I want to take a moment to thank all of you
who have already given your time and your voice to shaping the future of Ngāti Tamaterā.
Following our Hui Rautaki 100 Tau in Paeroa on 25 July, where whānau came together kanohi ki te kanohi to begin shaping our next 100-year vision, we were pleased to hold a further online hui this month, giving those who couldn't make it to Paeroa another chance to Have Your Say. The kōrero, aspirations and ideas shared across both hui have already given us a strong foundation to build on.
For those who haven't yet had the chance to contribute, our whānau survey is now live across all our social media platforms. This is another simple way to share your whakaaro on where you want to see Ngāti Tamaterā in the years and generations to come. Whether it's through the survey, at a hui, or in kōrero with your whānau, your voice matters; it's how we make sure this rautaki genuinely reflects the hopes and priorities of our people.
This mahi will shape how we prioritise our resources, our programmes, and our energy for the next 100 years. We want to hear from as many of you as possible, wherever you are.
Please take a moment to complete the survey, and encourage your whānau to do the same. Ngā mihi nui for everything you continue to give to this kaupapa.
On behalf of the Trustees, thank you for your continued support, commitment, and aroha.
Whānau, make sure you’re following our Facebook and Instagram pages, and checking our website.
All of our latest pānui, events, and kaupapa are shared there.
The following information is in this pānui:
This section in our pānui "Whakanuia"
is to celebrate and recognise the mahi and achievements of our whānau – he uri o Tamaterā.
Got something special to celebrate?
Share your whānau mahi, achievements, or milestones with us by emailing admin@tamatera.iwi.nz.
Celebrating a Legacy: Antony Royal
This month we celebrate Antony Royal and his extraordinary contribution to Māori telecommunications, technology and spectrum advocacy over more than 26 years.
The kaupapa itself reaches back even further. Māori advocacy for recognition of rights and interests in broadcasting and radio spectrum stretches back to the 1980s and culminated in significant Waitangi Tribunal findings on radio spectrum in 1999. Those efforts helped establish the foundations upon which later generations of Māori technology leaders, including Antony, would build.
In 2000, Te Huarahi Tika Trust – the Māori Spectrum Trust – was established following the Crown’s allocation of rights associated with 3G spectrum and $5 million in funding. Through its commercial arm, Hautaki, Māori became part of the journey that ultimately helped establish 2degrees as Aotearoa’s third mobile network.
Antony became an important part of that story, serving across Te Huarahi Tika Trust, Hautaki and as a director of 2degrees, bringing his considerable technical expertise and commitment to advancing Māori participation in telecommunications.
That kaupapa entered another defining chapter in 2019 with the establishment of the Māori Spectrum Working Group. Antony served as a Māori telecommunications and technology representative and went on to become Co-Convenor, helping lead negotiations with the Crown towards an enduring recognition of Māori interests in spectrum.
An initial allocation of 50 MHz of 3.5 GHz spectrum for 5G provided an important bridge while those negotiations continued. The resulting enduring Māori–Crown spectrum agreement went considerably further – providing for 20 per cent of future national commercial spectrum allocations to Māori, a role for Māori in spectrum policy, and the establishment and capitalisation of a permanent Māori Spectrum Entity.
These achievements represent far more than access to radio frequencies. They have helped establish Māori as participants, investors, decision-makers and increasingly architects within Aotearoa’s telecommunications and digital future.
As Antony steps down as founding Chief Executive of Tū Ātea, he leaves an extraordinary legacy of vision, persistence and service. Importantly, he is not leaving the kaupapa. Antony will continue his advocacy for Māori participation in telecommunications as Co-Convenor of the Māori Spectrum Working Group.
For Ngāti Tamaterā, we acknowledge him not only for what he has built, but for the doors he has helped open for those who will follow. We're grateful he'll continue sharing his expertise through the National Iwi Chairs Forum.
Ngā mihi nui ki a koe, Antony, mō tō kaha, tō māia me tō whakapau kaha mō te iwi Māori.
He taonga tuku iho mō ngā whakatupuranga e haere ake nei.
Oranga Rangatahi
Matangureia Wānanga – Manāia
REGISTRATIONS ARE FULL!
Within less than 24 hours of registrations opening, our third and final wānanga reached capacity. Registrations are now closed, and we are unable to accept any further registrations.
A huge mihi to all our whānau for your incredible support for this kaupapa.
Our Ohu Whakahaere is excited to bring you this wānanga back in Manāia, with our kaupapa matua centred around Kotahitanga, Mana Motuhake and Tino Rangatiratanga.
We look forward to coming together, sharing kōrero, strengthening our connections and seeing what the future holds for this kaupapa.
Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa, see you in Manāia! 🌿
Oranga Taiao
Our Rāhui Extended - Two More Years to Let the Moana Recover
Kua whakarōpū anō te rāhui - our rāhui has been renewed.
The Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, Hon Shane Jones, has approved a two-year extension of the temporary fisheries closures across our Pou Rāhui sites, a direct result of the request made alongside our partners Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki and the Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust.
From 7 August 2026 to 6 August 2028, the following closures remain in place:
- Umupuia Beach - no taking of cockles
- Te Mātā and Waipatukahu - no taking of cockles, mussels, oysters or pipi
- Waiheke Island (within one nautical mile) - no taking of mussels, pāua, or packhorse rock lobster
This is Pou Rāhui at work, our collaborative marine restoration kaupapa combining mātauranga Māori with scientific monitoring to bring back taonga species that whānau have watched decline for generations. As Minister Jones put it:
"Extending these temporary closures is a practical step for the benefit of current and future generations. The group's work involves training whānau in traditional skills and data collection to strengthen mātauranga, to support evidence-based decision-making, and to ensure the long-term sustainability of customary fisheries."
Six years ago, this rāhui gave the moana room to breathe. This extension means we get to keep watching it recover and keep building the whānau capability, through hands-on monitoring and data collection, that makes this mahi sustainable for the long haul.
What this means for whānau: these areas remain closed to harvesting these species until 6 August 2028. Public notices will appear in the New Zealand Herald, Waiheke Gulf News, The Coromandel Informer, and the Waiheke Weekender.
Ka ora te moana, ka ora te iwi. When the sea thrives, we thrive.
Whether you're a commercial, recreational or customary fisher, it's important to be aware of different customary fisheries management areas and any local fishing rules. Find lists and details of mātaitai reserves, taiāpure, temporary closures, and customary bylaw areas
here
Pou Rāhui Taiohi Capability Development
Our Mātai Moana team continues to grow & build momentum.
Maru Skipper has completed his Diploma in Professional Scuba Instruction, has enrolled in the New Zealand Certificate in Domestic Maritime Operations (Skipper Restricted Limits) (Level 4) through Toi Ohomai, and is set to study at the Tauranga campus from September through to October. This will strengthen his seamanship, planning, coordination, and on-water capability, while building a stronger maritime and diving base for our young Mātai Moana team.
Hoera O’Brien has completed the second semester of his final year of a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Marine Science, at the University of Auckland. Completing the Advanced and Rescue Diver training through Dive Zone Whitianga supports his pathway into scientific diving accreditation alongside his BSc (Marine).
Kauri O’Brien continues to progress well at Ngā Taiātea Wharekura and has been selected as part of the tuākana team for our Mātangireia wānanga. Having started with Pou Rāhui at just 13, Kauri has grown alongside the wider taiohi team, building confidence, responsibility, leadership, and practical experience each year.
We also welcome Te Kiniwe Tapuke Tangatatai, who is in his final year at Te Wharekura o Manaia and has completed Advanced and Rescue Diver training through the school curriculum. He also supported Hoera, Kauri, and Te Āmai during their PADI Open Water training, bringing valuable existing experience to the developing taiohi team.
Together, this work supports one clear aim: restoring and protecting the mauri of our moana while building the people, knowledge, and capability needed to carry the kaupapa forward.
PADI Adv. & Rescue Diver Scuba Dive Training
From 3–7 August 2026, our Pou Rāhui taiohi Hoera and Kauri completed their PADI Advanced Open Water and Rescue Diver training with Dive Zone Whitianga.
The training was focused on developing the skills required for future scientific, professional and leadership-based diving pathways. Rescue Diver training builds the ability to manage underwater emergencies, assist other divers and respond confidently in challenging situations.
The first two days covered advanced diving skills, including deep diving and underwater navigation. Conditions were favourable, with significantly better visibility than during their earlier Open Water training.
The final two days focused on Rescue Diver skills, emergency scenarios and the required first-aid training. Frosty mornings meant challenging conditions which tested the team's mettle.
Maru supported the programme by co-instructing alongside Dive Zone lead instructor Ryan Henson. Having completed his scuba-diving instructor qualification, Maru can now support the training and development of more tauira as the Mātai Moana team grows, alongside his own continued SRL training at Toi Ohomai in Tauranga.
Building a Scientific Diving Pathway
Rescue Diver is an important step toward professional industry dive training and the appropriate WorkSafe Certificate of Competence for occupational scientific diving. This pathway is particularly relevant for Hoera, who is completing a Bachelor of Science in Marine Science. Scientific diving would allow him to apply his academic knowledge underwater and contribute to marine research, biodiversity monitoring and habitat assessments.
With Maru qualified as an instructor, Hoera, Kauri and Te Kiniwe now trained to Rescue Diver level, Pou Rāhui Mātai Moana is continuing to build an iwi-led capability for marine monitoring, restoration and research throughout the rohe.
Winner of the BLAKE & Westpac NZ-VR competition - Te Puru School!
Ngāti Tamaterā Pou Rāhui is pleased to acknowledge Te Puru School as one of 15 kura across Aotearoa selected to receive a free NZ-VR Climate Change learning session from the Sir Peter Blake Trust.
Nominated by Pou Rāhui, the school will host the BLAKE team on Thursday, 10 September 2026, giving tauira an immersive way to learn about climate change, its impacts, and practical action.
Oranga Ōhanga
Ngā Pōito o te Kupenga | Weaving Our Business Future
Every thriving economy begins with understanding its people.
Ngā Pōito o te Kupenga is one of our long-term kaupapa to strengthen and connect our business community, laying the foundations for a resilient Hauraki Māori business ecosystem. This work is about more than creating a business directory, it is about:
- building relationships,
- understanding the strengths and aspirations of our businesses,
- identifying opportunities,
- creating pathways for collaboration,
- procurement,
- capability building
- future investment.
Building a strong business ecosystem takes time. It is woven through trust, relationships, and shared commitment. Every business, entrepreneur, contractor, sole trader, and aspiring business owner has a place within this kaupapa.
If you own a business, are thinking about starting one, or simply want to be part of shaping the future of the Ngāti Tamaterā economy, we'd love to hear from you.
Together, we can create an economy that supports our whānau today while building opportunities for generations to come.
Interested in being involved?
Contact admin@tamatera.iwi.nz to learn more about Ngā Pōito o te Kupenga.
Ngā Pōito o te Kupenga - Business Mentorship
Through Ngā Pōito o te Kupenga, we are beginning to connect iwi business owners
and emerging entrepreneurs through a business mentorship initiative.
This kaupapa will support:
- Knowledge sharing between experienced and emerging business owners
- Practical advice on business growth and development
- Strengthening the Ngāti Tamaterā business network
Mentorship will help build capability across our business community and support whānau who are exploring enterprise opportunities.
Ngā Pōito o te Kupenga
Business spotlight
Another initiative being developed is the Ngā Pōito o te Kupenga Business Spotlight,
which highlights iwi-owned businesses and entrepreneurs.
This will:
- Celebrate the achievements of our iwi business community
- Increase visibility of Ngāti Tamaterā enterprises
- Encourage whānau to support iwi businesses
If you are a Ngāti Tamaterā business owner and would like to be featured or included in the Ngā Pōito o te Kupenga network, we encourage you to reach out - admin@tamatera.iwi.nz
Together, these initiatives are helping to strengthen our iwi business ecosystem and support whānau to participate in the growing economic opportunities across our rohe.
Business Spotlight
“The CJ's Way - Trust, Respect & Safety”
- Cleaning - Commercial interior house cleaning & communal cleaning
- Blinds - Supply and fit vertical venetian blinds. Repair, wash vertical / venetian blinds & tracks. Curtain wash & track repairs.
- Carpet - Steam clean carpet, flood restoration, hot water extraction.
- Ground Maintenance - Lawn mowing, rubbish removal (interior & exterior), hedge trimming, tree trimming, landscaping, communal garden maintenance & general ground care
- House Washing & Water blasting - House washing, gutter & spout washing, water blasting paths, driveways & decking, roof treatment for moss.
Oranga Whānau
Ngāti Tamaterā Treaty Settlement Trust Iwi Membership Registrations
Kia ora e te whānau!
A friendly reminder to register with the Ngāti Tamaterā Treaty Settlement Trust. By registering, you’ll:
- Have your say in trustee elections and voting on key kaupapa
- Access information, resources, and updates directly for whānau and marae
- Ensure your whakapapa is connected and recognised within the iwi register
- Be part of shaping the future of Ngāti Tamaterā through a strong collective voice
It only takes a few minutes to register – and your registration ensures you and your whānau can fully benefit from the mahi of the Trust.
Hui Rautaki 100 Tau Survey
In July we held our first Hui Rautaki 100 Tau for Ngāti Tamaterā in Paeroa. In August we held the hui online, for those who couldn't make it ā kanohi. If you missed either of these dates, do not worry, as we have another opportunity for you to feed into the strategy.
Click the button below to fill in the Survey. Your whakaaro will help shape our future direction - this strategy belongs to all of us.
The google form will close at midnight on Sunday 13 September.
General Elections 2026 – Our Voice, Our Future
In 2026, Aotearoa heads to the polls on the 7th of November, and our voice matters.
General elections shape the decisions that affect our whānau every day: housing, education, environmental protection, employment, health, and the future of Te Tiriti partnerships. These policies influence funding for kura, support for rangatahi, protection of our taiao, and the wellbeing of our kaumātua.
Voting is more than ticking a box, it is a way to honour those who came before us and to shape the world our tamariki will inherit. Whether you are voting for the first time or have voted many times before, your participation strengthens our collective influence.
Make sure you are enrolled, informed, and ready.
When we vote, we show up for our whānau, our whenua, and our future.
Oranga Ahurea
Ko Te Reo Pakiaka - Growing Strong in Year Two
Ko Te Reo Pakiaka, delivered online by Te Whare Tāhuhu Kōrero o Hauraki, is now in its second year, and demand continues to grow.
96 tauira joined us for Term 2. 70 have carried that momentum into Term 3. And there are already 30 names on the waitlist for Term 4.
From total beginners to advanced speakers weaving whakataukī and kīwaha into everyday kōrero, four levels take tauira on a journey, not just through te reo, but through Hauraki itself. Every lesson is grounded in our whenua, our awa, our maunga, our maramataka because you can't learn the reo without learning the taiao it comes from.
And it's working. Every tauira who comes through the programme leaves with stronger reo, deeper mātauranga, and a tighter connection to Haurakitanga, wherever in the world they're logging in from.
"I'm in Aussie, and I can be a part of this kaupapa, it's awesome."
"Love that I can be a part of my Haurakitanga and whānau when I live hours away from home."
What's next? A new resource kit is in the works for tauira returning for their second and third terms, plus an exciting kaupapa to record and preserve kōrero tuku iho from across Hauraki, capturing our stories for generations still to come.
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.
Ngā mihi nui ki a Te Whare Tāhuhu Kōrero o Hauraki for growing this taonga with us.
Keep an eye out to register
Pānuitanga Hapori
Apply now for the 2026 Wai Māori Scholarship
The 2026 Wai Māori Scholarship is officially open for applications!
The Wai Māori scholarship was established in 2022 to strengthen the presence of Māori experts in freshwater and freshwater fisheries related fields of academic study and professional fields. The scholarship seeks to contribute to the advancement of study or research in one or more of the following areas:
- Indigenous freshwater species research,
- Effects of climate change on indigenous freshwater species,
- Kaupapa Māori freshwater research,
- Māori rights and interests in freshwater,
- Freshwater and/or freshwater fisheries/species management and protection,
- Freshwater and/or freshwater fisheries/species policy, regulation, and development and;
- Building or strengthening connections of tauira to their iwi/hapū.
A total fund of $30,000 has been made available for this scholarship. This may be awarded to a single recipient or split between a number of recipients.
Further information, including the purpose of the Wai Māori scholarship and eligibility criteria, is available on the
Te Wai Māori Trust website.
We strongly encourage you to review the available information before beginning your application.
Click here
