Rāpare 27 Whiringa-ā-rangi 2025 | Thursday 27 November 2025

The following information is in this pānui:



This is a new section in our e-pānui "Whakanuia"

 to celebrate and recognise the mahi and achievements of our whānau – he uri o Tamaterā.

Got something special to celebrate?

Share your whānau’s mahi, achievements, or milestones with us by emailing admin@tamatera.iwi.nz.



Celebrating a Highly Commended Award – Culture Champion Category

Te Wai Unasa

At this year’s Fire and Emergency New Zealand Te Hiku Ngā Tohu Raukura (Celebrating Success) 2025, we are proud to celebrate our very own Te Wai Unasa, who received a Highly Commended Award in the Culture Champion category.

This category recognises those who create safe, positive, and inclusive environments where everyone feels they belong. Nominees are acknowledged for inspiring others, living our values, taking action to build psychological safety, and going above and beyond to strengthen organisational culture.

Te Wai embodies all of this and more. Her deep connection to Māoritanga, her ability to weave tikanga naturally into our brigade environment, and her commitment to whanaungatanga have made a remarkable impact on the Kaiaua Volunteer Fire Brigade.

She fosters unity, encourages respect, and builds a sense of belonging that truly sets our brigade apart. Her leadership style is inspiring, grounded, inclusive, and uplifting. Many of us have learned from her example, and her influence continues to shape a positive and culturally grounded environment for everyone.

We are incredibly proud to celebrate Te Wai’s recognition and the mana she brings to our team and community.

Rangatahi Excellence | Ngā Tohu o te Reanga Hou 

Our rangatahi have made outstanding achievements this year, embodying the future of kaitiakitanga: 

Marutuahu Skipper advanced his dive training at Dive Zone Whitianga, achieving a PADI Diploma in Scuba Instruction. He led the restoration of significant pāua populations across our rohe moana, demonstrating exceptional leadership and technical skill. 

Hoera O'Brien  completed his second year at Auckland University, majoring in Marine Science for his Bachelor of Science. He also represented Hauraki on the international stage at the All Nations Volleyball Championships in Canada, where the U20 Māori Men's team won gold. 

Together, Marutuahu  and Hoera are emerging leaders in our Mātai Moana team, embodying practical skills, leadership, and a deep commitment to protecting our taiao. 

Oranga Rangatahi

Rangatahi Excursion Update 

Blake Young Explorers,  April 2026

Earlier, we announced our incredible partnership with BLAKE Young Explorers  (Sir Peter Blake Trust) to deliver a unique outdoor adventure for our tamariki and rangatahi aged 11–12 years.

From 14–16 April 2026, 20 rangatahi will travel to Whangateau Holiday Park (North Tāmaki Makaurau) for three days of exploration, learning and connecting deeply with Te Taiao me ngā atua Māori. Guided by the BLAKE Young Explorers team, our rangatahi will take part in activities such as snorkelling, surfing, hiking and night walks — all designed to strengthen their relationship with Tangaroa, Tāne Māhuta, and the natural world around them.

This kaupapa is all about building confidence, leadership, teamwork and a strong appreciation of our moana and whenua, while creating awesome memories alongside other Ngāti Tamaterā rangatahi.

Dates: 14–16 April 2026

Location: Whangateau Holiday Park, North Tāmaki Makaurau

Ages: 11–12 years

Spaces: Limited to 20 rangatahi

Registrations will open in January 2026 — keep an eye out!

Hauraki Cultural Festival

Kerepehi Marae, 21-22 November

Over the weekend, our whānau gathered at Kerepehi Marae for the Hauraki Cultural Festival — celebrating an incredible 52 years of this cherished kaupapa that continues to bring our people together. The atmosphere was full of aroha, pride, and a sense of kōtahitanga as whānau from across Hauraki came together to support and uplift each other.

From our pēpi paopao, to our tamariki, our rangatahi, right through to our pakeke — and even our kaumātua who took the stage — it was incredible to see all generations come together and perform with so much mana. Watching everyone come together to celebrate being Hauraki, to celebrate each other, and to enjoy the fullness of our whānau was something truly special.

The turnout across both days was outstanding, and it reminded us of the strength and unity within our rohe when we gather as one. It was an awesome weekend spent with whānau.

Please see snippets and full event from Ngā Iwi FM facebook page

Fixed Term - Job Opportunity

He Ara Pūkeko

He kōrero mō tēnei kaupapa | About this kaupapa 

He Ara Pūkeko is aimed at developing the next generation of Māori data practitioners.​

In this five-month, full time, paid programme, participants will grow their data analysis skills, their application of mātauranga Māori, and their ability to exercise their tirohanga Māori in data, preparing them to make a real impact in their communities. 

Through He Ara Pūkeko, you will learn to: 

• Analyse and interpret data confidently 
• Understand Māori data sovereignty and governance 
• Ground your work in te ao Māori ​

​Māraurautanga | Eligibility 

Please apply if the following information reflects you: 

• Whakapapa Māori   
• Have a deep desire to contribute to your iwi or hapū through the skills you will gain 
• Have iwi support for the duration of the apprenticeship 
• Have a strong interest in data or research 
• Have NCEA level 2 (or equivalent) in statistics or math 
• Have knowledge about te reo Māori me ōna tikanga 
• Can provide one professional reference and one iwi endorsement 
• Are willing to travel as needed throughout the duration of the apprenticeship (within Aotearoa)

​

Whakatakotoranga o te Kaupapa | Programme Structure 

• Duration: five months (9 February – 26 June 2026) 
• Format: full time (35 hours per week), paid, hybrid (a mix of in-person and remote) 
• Experience: workshops, projects, wānanga with Māori and Government experts 
• Outcomes: real-world experience, iwi-focused skills, strong networks 

Tono Mai Ināianei | Apply Now 

Applications close 05 December, 2025. 

To apply, email apprenticeship@kahuiraraunga.io with: 

• Your CV and cover letter 
• An iwi endorsement letter

If you are interested in this position or have any pātai please email me oranga.rangatahi@tamatera.iwi.nz

Oranga Taiao

Pou Rāhui

We acknowledge our atua who gifted us these skies, waters, and lands, our kaitiaki who protect these taonga, our tūpuna who walked before us, and the rangatahi who will carry this mahi forward. This report honors the living relationship between our people and our moana, a relationship sustained by rāhui, renewed through restoration, and strengthened by the determination of our communities to protect what is taonga. 

Our mahi reflects a year of growth, collaboration, and commitment. It belongs not to individuals alone, but to the collective vision of whānau, hapū, and iwi who understand that the health of our moana is inseparable from our own wellbeing. 

Kia whakanuia te moana, kia ora ai te iwi. 

Regional and National Platforms 

Our Mātai Moana team presented at Te Ara Tukutuku in Auckland, sharing insights from collaborative taonga species restoration across Tīkapa Moana and Te Moananui-a-Toi. The presentation demonstrated how iwi-led restoration efforts can align with urban development and public engagement, showcasing the enduring relevance of traditional environmental practices in contemporary Aotearoa. 

Collaborative Guardianship 

We hosted a Support The Rāhui hui with Ngāti Maru, TCDC, and MPI at Thames Council Chambers, advancing discussions on minimizing impacts and collaborative guardianship within the Te Mātā and Tapu (Waipatukahu) shellfisheries. At the Caulerpa Technical Advisory Group workshops in Auckland, we shared practical experiences managing invasive Caulerpa alongside MUSA Mātai Moana, ensuring science and mātauranga Māori inform regional biosecurity strategies. 

Community Engagement 

Our Ngāti Tamaterā/Ngā Iwi FM rāhui media day at Te Mata Point Reserve enabled our taiohi and pūkenga to share the purpose and progress of the Pou Rāhui project with the wider community, emphasizing the significance of rāhui in protecting shellfish populations and marine ecosystems. We participated in Foundation North interviews and multiple Kāhui Ako digital technology workshops with the Sir Peter Blake Trust and Young Animators, delivering presentations on marine protection, restoration, and the integration of VR technology to engage rangatahi in Te Taiao. 

Pāua Restoration at Scale 

Working across Hauraki with MUSA Matai Moana, we achieved a milestone in the restoration of over 80,000 pāua near Ahuahu and Waiheke. Survey dives of pāua populations continued along the eastern Coromandel coastline from Opoutere to Port Charles, providing critical data to guide future restoration efforts. 

Kelp Forest Recovery 

Our team cleared kina barrens on Waiheke's reefs, enabling kelp, shellfish, and fish to return and restoring balance to our marine ecosystem. This work reflects a broader commitment to enhancing the resilience and abundance of key marine species in our rohe moana. Together with the Waiheke Marine Project, our mahi here enhances not only the manual delivery of our marine capabilities but also our capacity to nurture our hononga with our whānaunga iwi of Hauraki. 

Innovation in Kūtai Restoration 

Our Pou Rāhui team is advancing mussel restoration along the Thames Coast through biodegradable spat lines woven from tī kōuka and harakeke. This innovative approach replaces plastic with culturally-rooted materials, demonstrating how mātauranga Māori drives modern marine science. Building on Professor Kura Paul-Burke's pioneering work at Ōhiwa Harbour, our taura kūtai create optimal conditions for mussel settlement while honoring traditional practices. Results expected in January will reveal whether this method can successfully revitalize the historic kūtai beds of Tīkapa Moana. 

Capacity Building and Community Engagement 

Our collaboration with Dive Zone Whitianga provided essential training and capacity-building for our rangatahi, enabling them to develop advanced dive skills and gain practical experience in monitoring and restoring taonga species across Tīkapa Moana and Te Moananui-a-Toi. Our mahi has also involved engaging whānau, hapū, and community groups through wānanga, educational workshops, and media initiatives, fostering the next generation of kaitiaki. Together, these partnerships fostered a holistic approach to kaitiakitanga, blending mātauranga Māori, scientific expertise, and community leadership to protect, restore, and sustain our whenua, moana, and taonga species for future generations. 

Wānanga Whāngai Ngahere/Growing Native Forest Workshop

Nga Iwi FMInterview Link here 

E ngā Rangatira, e ngā Mana Whenua o Hauraki, tēnā koutou katoa,

Ngā mihi mahana ki a koutou i roto i ngā tini āhuatanga o te wā.

Ngāti Tamaterā, in partnership with the New Zealand Forest Service (Te Uru Rākau – MPI), warmly invites you to join us for the Wānanga Whāngai Ngahere – Growing Native Forests Workshop, a kaupapa that brings together our collective knowledge and expertise in caring for and restoring our native forests across Hauraki.

Date: Friday, 28 November 2025
Time: 9:00am – 1:30pm
Venue: Te Puru Hall, 4 West Crescent, Thames

This wānanga will explore practical approaches to transition forestry, rongoā propagation,  and native afforestation, alongside discussions on Māori agribusiness support and the Emissions Trading Scheme. The kaupapa is designed to strengthen kaitiakitanga, grow mātauranga, and support iwi, hapū, and Māori landowners in the restoration of our ngahere and whenua.

Key speakers include:

• Meg Graeme, Tane’s Tree Trust – Transition Forestry & Seed Islands
• Robert (Pā) McGowan, Tiwaiwaka – Rongoā and Native Propagation
• Mark Forsyth, NZ Forest Service – Native Forests & the ETS
• Jarred Wilson, MPI – Māori Agribusiness Support

This is a free wānanga, with catering provided.
We would be honoured by your presence and contribution to this kōrero.

Please register here:  Thames Workshop

He kaupapa kia whakakaha i te mana o te whenua, te mauri o te ngahere, me te māramatanga o tātou katoa.

Oranga Ōhanga

Ōhanga ki te Ao Summit & Kohinga Koha  28 & 29 November 2025

Ngāti Tamaterā is looking forward to supporting two major kaupapa at Te Pā, Waikato University, this November. On 28 November, iwi, industry leaders, and innovators will gather for the Ōhanga ki te Ao Indigenous Economic Summit to discuss Māori economic futures and opportunities across the motu.

The following day, 29 November, we return for Kōhinga Kōhā – Tainui Waka’s Māori Business Expo, a transformative showcase bringing together iwi, hapū, marae projects, and pakihi Māori to strengthen indigenous procurement and entrepreneurship. Ngāti Tamaterā will be contributing to the Digital Technology and Innovation component of the programme, supporting whānau and pakihi to step confidently into the Māori tech economy. 

NPOTK Mentorship

Ngā Pōito o te Kupenga

Support Hauraki Business – Become a Mentor (He Tāngata, He Pūkenga)

Do you have business experience and a heart for supporting others in our Hauraki rohe? We’re seeking mentors to walk alongside local entrepreneurs and business owners, helping them grow in confidence, capability, and resilience.

Through a tuakana–teina approach, you’ll share your knowledge, offer guidance, and stand as a pou whirinaki – a trusted source of support and encouragement.

If you're passionate about giving back to Pare Hauraki, strengthening our local economy, and nurturing the next generation of business leaders, we’d love for you to join us as a mentor, click the button below to sign-up!

Ngā mihi nui.

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.

He Rangi Hirahira mō Ngāti Pāoa – A Day of Celebration

After 14 years of hard mahi and perseverance, Ngāti Pāoa has officially completed their Treaty Settlement, with the third and final reading passed in Parliament on 5 November 2025.

This historic moment brings long-awaited closure and recognition for the iwi, including financial and cultural redress, 12 significant sites, and a formal Crown apology for historic breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

The day was filled with emotion, remembrance, and pride as iwi members carried the memory of those who paved the way,  including negotiator Morehu Wilson, whose mahi helped bring the iwi to this point.

Led by an all-wāhine Māori board, Ngāti Pāoa’s journey stands as a powerful example of mana wāhine leadership and resilience.

Ngāti Tamaterā extends our heartfelt congratulations to Ngāti Pāoa — the first of our Marutūāhu iwi to settle. He rā nui tēnei e whakanuia ana e tātou katoa.

Ngā mihi nui e te whānau o Ngāti Pāoa – kua ea!

2025 NTTST Driver's Licence Wānanga

Strengthening Safe Driving Pathways for Whānau

In November 2025, our Driver’s Licence Wānanga brought together 33 participants aged 16–50 years for a powerful weekend focused on capability building, confidence, and safer driving. Delivered in partnership with Te Ara Haepapa and The Cause Collective, the programme continues to offer culturally grounded, supportive, and effective learning environments for all participants.

Community Collaboration in Action

This wānanga was strengthened through the support of Ngāti Tamaterā and our partnering agencies. Skilled facilitators, driving mentors, and kaimahi ensured whānau received high-quality guidance, practical learning opportunities, and a safe space to grow their confidence on the road.

Participants and Achievements

The programme’s structure provided support and resources to attendees, helping them progress through their licensing goals and become safe and competent drivers:

5 Learner Licences: New drivers gained foundational knowledge and passed their

learner’s test, beginning their journey on the road.

13 Restricted Licences: Participants are preparing to sit their tests in the coming weeks, advancing to the next stage of driving independence with support from qualified driving instructors.

15 Full Licences: Participants will sit their tests soon to achieve the final milestone and earn unrestricted driving privileges.

Building Confidence, Knowledge, and Independence

Participants gained not only driving knowledge but also personal confidence, resilience, and a sense of achievement. The wānanga help remove barriers to legal and safe driving while building long-term opportunities for employment, safety, and overall wellbeing.