Rāmere 31 Hōngongoi 2026 | Friday 31 July 2026

Ngāti Tamaterā 100-Year Strategy | Hui-ā-Rautaki



July marked an exciting milestone for Ngāti Tamaterā as we held our first Hui-ā-Rautaki to begin shaping our 100-Year Strategy.

It was a privilege to welcome whānau from across our iwi to share their whakaaro, experiences and aspirations for the future of Ngāti Tamaterā. The day was filled with meaningful kōrero, strong participation and a genuine willingness from our people to help shape the journey ahead.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended, our kaumātua, facilitators, rangatahi, volunteers and support team who contributed to making the day such a success. The level of engagement and manaakitanga demonstrated throughout the wānanga reflected the strength of our iwi and our shared commitment to future generations.

Over the coming weeks, the whakaaro gathered during the wānanga will be carefully compiled and analysed to inform the next stage of the strategy. There will be further opportunities for whānau to contribute, including an online wānanga held on the:18th August, 6pm, and a digital engagement survey - which will be sent out to our uri members shortly, ensuring as many voices as possible help shape this intergenerational kaupapa.

This strategy is not for us alone. It is our koha to our uri whakaheke who will inherit the decisions and actions we walk today. 

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.

Congratulations -  Inaugural Te Pā Harakeke Hauraki Māori Community Awards

Ngāti Tamaterā extends our warmest congratulations to everyone who took part in the inaugural Te Pā Harakeke Hauraki Māori Community Awards, held at the Thames War Memorial Civic Centre on Saturday, 11 July 2026, during Matariki.

Established by Te Whāriki Manawāhine o Hauraki (Hauraki Women's Refuge), Te Pā Harakeke marks the beginning of what will be many more Hauraki Māori Community Awards, bringing whānau, hapū, iwi and community organisations together to honour the carers, kaimahi, kaitiaki, rangatahi and wāhine toa whose mahi sustains the wellbeing of our region.

Ngāti Tamaterā was proud to support this inaugural event and to attend the evening, celebrating alongside our Māori community. Congratulations to the organisers for bringing this vision to life, and to every nominee, finalist, and award recipient across the evening's categories spanning whanaungatanga and collective empowerment, environmental wellbeing, community safety, cultural revitalisation, wāhine Māori leadership and rangatahi innovation. Your mahi, often carried out quietly and without expectation of recognition, holds our communities together.

Ka mau te wehi. Ka nui te mihi ki a koutou katoa.

Oranga Rangatahi

Mātangireia Wānanga – Ngahutoitoi

Our second Mātangireia Wānanga, at Ngahutoitoi, was an incredible few days filled with learning, laughter, whakawhanaungatanga (building relationships), and personal growth. While we experienced a few challenges along the way, the overall success of the wānanga was a testament to the resilience of our rangatahi, the dedication of our kaimahi, and the unwavering support of our whānau.

This wānanga focused on Matariki and future planning, encouraging our rangatahi to reflect on where they have come from, where they are now, and where they want to go.

Workshop Highlights

Throughout the wānanga, our rangatahi took part in a range of interactive workshops designed to build confidence, strengthen identity, and equip them with practical life skills.

Patua te Whakama & Me Tiro Whakamuri Kia Anga Whakamua

Facilitated by Reha Watene, Hinemoana Collier, Rangi Pokiha, Mahinarangi Skipper, and Tairiri Skipper, these workshops challenged our rangatahi to step outside their comfort zones, overcome whakamā (self-doubt), reflect on their personal journeys, and begin planning positive pathways for their futures.

Mau rākau

Led by Punehu Wilson (founder of Te Mata o Kaiwaka) supported by Marutūāhu Skipper, this workshop explored traditional formations and the ways our tūpuna worked together. Rangatahi learnt how these formations relate to our tupuna, creating a meaningful connection between traditional teachings and the world around them.

Drug & Alcohol Awareness

Led by Ngā Wai Tāpara a Rangatahi. This workshop focused on educating rangatahi about the effects of alcohol and drugs, encouraging informed decision-making and healthy lifestyles. They explored the impacts different substances have on the body, discussed the amount of sugar found in popular drinks, and learnt about making positive choices for themselves and those around them.

Guest Speakers

One of the highlights of the wānanga was hearing from three incredible guest speakers who shared their personal experiences and inspired our rangatahi.

Elle Archer facilitated an engaging session on event management and fundraising. Rangatahi worked together to develop ideas for fundraising events for Te Pai o Hauraki while learning everything that goes into planning a successful event, from budgeting and logistics through to promotion and teamwork. It was inspiring to see the creativity and leadership skills that emerged throughout the activity.

We were also privileged to welcome Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, member of Parliament for Hauraki-Waikato. Hana shared her journey into politics, the challenges and opportunities that come with representing her people, and the importance of standing confidently in your identity. Our rangatahi asked thoughtful questions about balancing public life, staying connected to whānau, and what inspires her personally. She also spoke about the ongoing impacts of colonisation and encouraged our young people to embrace te ao Māori as a strong foundation for the future.

Our final guest speaker, Francis Waitai, shared his journey as a professional boxer. He spoke openly about the discipline required to compete at a high level while balancing life as a husband, father, full-time worker, and athlete. His honest and relatable kōrero left a lasting impression on many of our rangatahi and reinforced the importance of hard work, commitment, and perseverance.

Te Paki o Matariki

As many of our rangatahi are still beginning their journey in te ao Māori, we adapted our Matariki programme to better meet them where they were in their learning.

Apanui Skipper led a session on Te Paki o Matariki, explaining what each of the Matariki stars represents, how our tūpuna acknowledged this special time of the year, and how these traditions continue to guide us today.

Instead of holding a traditional Hautapu ceremony, we facilitated a reflection activity. Rangatahi were invited to write down something they wanted to let go of, alongside their aspirations and goals for the future. The following morning, these letters were placed into the fire as a symbolic act of releasing the past and embracing new beginnings.

Kapa Haka

Our kapa haka sessions were another highlight of the wānanga. In just a few days, our rangatahi learnt an entire bracket consisting of five action songs, a whakawhiti and a haka.

Watching their confidence grow with every performance made all of us incredibly proud.

Tuākana Leadership

One of the standout successes of the wānanga was seeing our tuākana step into leadership roles.

They designed and facilitated a brand-new game called Tahuna te Ahi, combining elements of Ki-o-Rahi, Ripper Rugby, and Patuariki. The game was a huge hit, with rangatahi fully engaged from beginning to end. It was good to see our tuākana using their creativity and leadership to create something that the rangatahi enjoyed.

Reflecting on the Journey

This wānanga brought together one of our largest groups of rangatahi to date, many of whom had little or no previous experience with marae-based learning or kaupapa Māori.

As a result, our kaimahi needed to be flexible, adapting parts of the programme to suit the needs of the group while ensuring everyone remained engaged and supported. Although this presented some challenges, it also provided valuable learning opportunities for both our staff and our rangatahi.

Most importantly, we witnessed incredible growth over the course of the wānanga. By the end of the weekend, many of our rangatahi had formed new friendships, grown in confidence, and developed a stronger connection to one another and to the kaupapa.

The positive feedback from both parents and rangatahi has been overwhelming, and it has been heartening to see our young people continuing to stay connected through social media and beyond.

Looking Ahead

Planning is already underway for Mātangireia to be involved in the upcoming Hauraki Festival, with more information to be shared in the near future.

We are excited to continue creating opportunities for our rangatahi to grow as leaders, strengthen their cultural identity, and build meaningful connections with one another.

A heartfelt ngā mihi nui goes to every parent and whānau who entrusted us with your tamariki. Thank you for your continued support and belief in this kaupapa.

While every wānanga presents its own challenges, this one reminded us why we do what we do. Seeing our rangatahi step outside their comfort zones, build confidence, support one another, and embrace new opportunities continues to inspire us.

Mauri ora! We can’t wait to see the rangatahi next Mātangireia wānanga brings.

Oranga Taiao

Te Ngāherehere o Kohukohunui – Restoring the Forest for Future Generations

On 7 July, Ngāti Tamaterā joined fellow Mana Whenua, Auckland Council, Watercare and the Department of Conservation for a field visit into Te Ngāherehere o Kohukohunui (Hunua Ranges) to see first-hand one of the largest native forest restoration projects in Tāmaki Makaurau.

The project is transforming former pine forestry into permanent indigenous forest while protecting Auckland’s drinking water catchments. Rather than simply harvesting trees and replanting, Watercare is trialling different restoration methods to learn which approaches create the healthiest and most resilient native forests for future generations.

One of the most interesting lessons from the day was that sometimes nature knows best. In some areas, simply allowing native plants to regenerate naturally, with minimal disturbance, has produced excellent results. In other areas, targeted planting and weed control have been necessary to give native species the best chance of survival. Every site is different, and the project is using science alongside long-term observation to determine the best methods.

The restoration programme is already impressive. More than 600,000 native plants have been established across former forestry blocks, with another 50,000 plants being added this winter. Species such as mānuka, kānuka, māhoe, five-finger, harakeke and cabbage trees are helping rebuild the natural forest, providing habitat for native birds and improving the health of the catchment.

The project also highlighted why healthy native forests are so important. Indigenous forests reduce erosion, improve water quality, provide habitat for taonga species like kōkako and kārearea, and create healthier ecosystems than commercial pine plantations over the long term. Watercare explained that protecting these forests is also essential for safeguarding Auckland’s drinking water supply.

For Ngāti Tamaterā, the visit reinforced opportunities beyond environmental restoration. Projects like this provide pathways for iwi to participate in ecological monitoring, pest control, native planting, cultural monitoring, environmental education and future recreation opportunities. As our iwi continues progressing towards settlement, these types of partnerships help build capability while exercising our role as kaitiaki over our ancestral landscapes.

The day also sparked discussions about the future of Te Ngāherehere o Kohukohunui. As restoration continues over the coming decades, there is potential for the area to become an outstanding destination for cultural experiences, walking and cycling, environmental education and Mana Whenua-led interpretation, ensuring visitors understand the history, whakapapa and significance of this special place.

Although the work will continue long after our generation, the kaupapa is clear: we are restoring the ngahere today so that our mokopuna will inherit a healthier forest, cleaner water and stronger connections to their whenua tomorrow.

Building Māori Recovery Strategies

What does recovery look like when it is shaped by our whānau, grounded in tikanga, and guided by the strengths and mātauranga of our communities?

This was the focus of a powerful day in Te Puru, where whānau, emergency management representatives, and the Ngāti Tamaterā team came together to share experiences, whakaaro, and mātauranga.

Together, we explored how Māori-led approaches can support whānau, hapū, marae, and communities to recover following disasters. The wānanga strengthened relationships, created space for collective learning, and contributed to a shared vision for recovery that upholds the mana, resilience, and wellbeing of our people.

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



“Providing Construction Solutions For Residential, Commercial And Subdivision Projects.”

Proud to Be 100% Māori Owned

At Lite Civil, we are proud to be a 100% Māori-owned company. Our roots are deeply embedded in our community, and our projects reflect our commitment to enhancing the infrastructure and sacred spaces of our people. From vital upgrades of marae to significant developments in Māori infrastructure, each venture is more than a construction project; it's a step towards collective well-being and cultural preservation.

Guided by a philosophy that intertwines traditional values with modern construction practices, Lite Civil aims to build more than just structures. They aspire to create enduring community benefits, fostering environments where both culture and development can thrive together.

Winner at the Hauraki Māori Business Awards 2026

Ko te tohu kounga mō te ringarehe me te ahumahi/Trades & Industry Excellence Award

● Reliable contractor for all civil applications, providing construction solutions for residential, commercial and subdivision projects.

● Provide an array of civil construction services tailored to subdivisions and commercial construction, specialising in public and private drainage, excavation, concrete, and siteworks.

● Are a council, Watercare and Veolia approved contractor, and each project is planned, organised and managed from start to finish to ensure an on-time, high quality finish that meets the budget and expectations of the client.

Website: https://www.litecivil.co.nz/

Email: jay@litecivil.co.nz

Mobile: 021424862

Ōhanga Ōranga | Building Our Hauraki Economy

Te Poito o te Kupenga – Growing our Business Ecosystem

We're continuing to build the foundations of our Hauraki Māori business ecosystem. This kaupapa is about connecting our businesses, strengthening relationships, identifying opportunities, and creating pathways for collaboration across our rohe. If you own or operate a business, or are thinking about starting one, we'd love to hear from you.

🏆 Hauraki Māori Business Awards 2027

Planning has begun for the evolution of the Hauraki Māori Business Awards.

Our vision is to grow the Awards into a year-long celebration of Hauraki enterprise, with a series of workshops, networking opportunities and economic development events leading up to the Awards. More information will be shared over the coming months.

👷 Hauraki Trades & Workforce Development Expo

We're exploring the development of a Hauraki Trades & Workforce Development Expo to connect our rangatahi and whānau with employers, training providers, apprenticeships and future career opportunities.

If you're an employer, training provider or industry partner interested in being involved, we'd love to hear from you.

💬 Conversations About the Māori Economy

How do we define prosperity?

What does a Māori economy look like?

Can economic success be measured by more than profit?

We're developing a new series of wānanga exploring the philosophy of the Māori economy, including whakaaro around trade, value, reciprocity, stewardship, collective contribution and intergenerational wellbeing. These conversations will help shape how we grow our economy together.

📊 Building Our Economic Picture

Our mahi continues to strengthen our understanding of Ngāti Tamaterā's economic landscape through business engagement, workforce insights and strategic partnerships. Every conversation helps us better understand the aspirations, strengths and opportunities that already exist within our people. This continues the asset and business mapping work that underpins the wider Ōhanga Ōranga strategy.

🤝Get Involved

Whether you're:

• running a business,
• self-employed,
• a tradesperson,
• studying,
• looking for work,
• or have an idea you'd like to explore - we'd love to connect with you.

Together we're building an economy that reflects our values, supports our whānau, and creates opportunities for generations to come.

He kaupapa whakatipu tēnei. Building a thriving iwi economy doesn't happen overnight. Every conversation, every connection, every business and every whānau that joins the journey strengthens the future of Ngāti Tamaterā. If you'd like to be involved in any of our economic development kaupapa, please get in touch.

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.

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

Te Reo Pakiaka 

Term 3 Te Reo Pakiaka started on Sunday 26th July 2026 in collaboration with Te Whare Tāhuhu o Hauraki bringing accessible online Te Reo me ona tikanga kaupapa directly to whānau at home, across the rohe and motu. 

The Te Reo Pakiaka kaiako team are highly experienced, with many being graduates of Te Panekiretanga o Te Reo Māori, have teaching backgrounds in kura Māori, and bring strong cultural knowledge of te taiao and Hauraki tikanga, ensuring high-quality, culturally grounded instruction.

Tauira have ongoing support via a help‑desk monitoring system; tutorials are delivered on Zoom and begin with karakia, mihimihi and pānui; materials are also available on Google Classroom for review and revision. These supports enhance engagement and reinforce learning outside tutorials.

Pānuitanga Hapori

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has confirmed New Zealand's first detection of the H5N1 bird flu virus in a single brown skua found at Petone Beach, Wellington.

At this stage, there is no evidence of the virus spreading to other wild birds or poultry, and the risk to the public remains very low.

We encourage everyone to remain vigilant. Please do not touch sick or dead birds. If you see sick or deceased birds or other wildlife, report them to MPI immediately by calling 0800 80 99 66 or through the MPI reporting channels.

Protecting our manu, taiao, and communities relies on us all staying alert and reporting any concerns promptly.

Public advice is:

• Keep your distance. Stay away from sick or dead wildlife. Keep pets away too.
• Keep clean. Wash your hands and clean your gear after being outdoors.
• Know when to report. If you see three or more sick or dead birds or wildlife, report them to the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66.

Provide as much information as possible, including:

• a GPS reading or other precise location information
• photographs and videos of sick and dead birds
• how many are sick or freshly dead, and the total number of birds present
• Common name of affected bird/s.

Commercial poultry operators are advised to contact their vet.

Media release confirming H5 bird flu: H5 bird flu confirmed in New Zealand | Beehive.govt.nz

Information is at: mpi.govt.nz/hpai

Any enquiries about the situation can be sent to: H5N1.Enquiries@mpi.govt.nz