Rāmere 31 Whiringa-ā-nuku 2025 | Friday 31 October 2025

The following information is in this pānui:



We’re excited to introduce 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.



Caleb Wilson - University Haerenga 

Tēnā koutou katoa, 

Ko Ngāti Paoa, Ngāti Whānaunga, Ngāti Tamaterā, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai ōku iwi.

Ko Morehu Wilson tōku Pāpā, ko Louise Wilson (nee Toki) tōku Māmā

Ko Caleb Wilson tōku ingoa

I remember growing up my parents had two options for me, lawyer or masseuse, because either they had a lawyer in the family or someone that could give them a good shoulder rub. 

I went to a High School where we were heavily encouraged to pursue tertiary education. I got to my seventh form and still wasn’t sure what I wanted to study. So, I looked at my favourite subjects being math, economics and history, and decided on a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws.

It was only a few weeks after I graduated High School that my father Morehu Wilson was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. It was a very difficult time for our whānau, but we were fortunate to be able to cherish our last few years with him. Juggling studies, work and whānau time was a difficult, yet rewarding time. I remember going home to mow the lawn and dad would be on the deck waving about trying to get my attention as I’d managed to get a bunch of grass in the pool.

In my second year once I was accepted into Law School, I joined Te Rākau Ture, the Māori Law Students Association at the University of Auckland. It wasn’t until then that I felt like I finally fit in somewhere at Uni. I ended up making lifelong friends and even meeting my life partner.

I was fortunate to gather experience as an intern at several institutions throughout my time at University such as BNZ, the Commerce Commission and Kayes Fletcher Walker. Two of these opportunities came from a programme called Tuputoa where Māori and Pasefika students are matched with workplaces which I would definitely recommend for any current tertiary students.

I graduated in May this year with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Economics and Marketing. After completing legal professionals in June and getting all of my documents in order (if you’ve been admitted as a barrister/solicitor you know how much of a nightmare this can be), I was admitted as a Barrister/Solicitor of the High Court of Aotearoa in September. 

I am grateful for all of the support I have received during my University career and the ongoing support, especially from my mother Louise who often doesn’t get the recognition she deserves. I am currently working as an Investigator in the Consumer Credit Branch at the Commerce Commission.

Oranga Rangatahi

Oranga Rangatahi Update – Exciting Rangatahi Excursion Coming April 2026!

He haerenga whakahirahira te haere ake nei mō ā tātou rangatahi!

Ngāti Tamaterā Oranga Rangatahi is proud to announce an 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 head north to Whangateau Holiday Park (North Tāmaki Makaurau) for three days of exploration, learning, and connecting with Te Taiao me ngā atua Māori. Together with the BLAKE Young Explorers team, our rangatahi will experience a range of exciting activities including snorkelling, surfing, hiking and night walks — all designed to strengthen their connection with Tangaroa, Tane Māhuta and the natural environment around them.

This kaupapa aims to build confidence, leadership, teamwork, and a deeper appreciation for our moana and whenua — while having an awesome time 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

🚌 Transport: Provided from selected pick-up locations across Hauraki and possibly Auckland (details to be confirmed)

Keep an eye out — registrations and more details will be released soon, including a full activity agenda, gear list, and confirmed transport schedule. Make sure your whānau marks April 2026 in the calendar — you won’t want your rangatahi to miss this adventure!

Oranga Taiao

Pou Rāhui

Mātai Moana, Strategic Planning and Section 186A

As we move from kōanga toward raumati, ngā tohu o te taiao remind us to align our mahi with the rhythms of the season. The whero of the pōhutukawa begins to bloom, and the kōwhai glows like the summer sun - signs that the whenua is awakening once more. Along our takutai, pātiki return to our awa-iti and manga, and the kanae leap in the shallows of Tikapakapa - the life of the moana rising to meet the warmth of summer.

Our Mātai Moana team will gather for a strategic planning wānanga to guide the next two years of Ngāti Tamaterā’s Pou Rāhui kaupapa - refining rāhui and taura kūtai monitoring, planning for our summer restoration, and strengthening our dive and marine science pathways with Dive Zone Whitianga. This wānanga prepares us for the summer season ahead - and in our next pānui, we’ll introduce our Mātai Moana team leading this mahi.

Following discussions with TCDC, our Mātai Moana team will develop new educational media for display at the Thames Information Centre. The media will share the story of the Te Mātā / Waipatukahu Rāhui, explaining why the rāhui is in place, its environmental purpose, and the mahi underway to restore our taonga species — featuring local imagery of the coastline and restoration work.

In July 2025, four individuals were convicted in the Thames District Court for taking pipi within the Te Mātā / Waipatukahu rāhui. They received a combined total of $8,000 in fines. The area remains under a Section 186A temporary closure under the Fisheries Act 1996 — no pipi, tuangi, kūtai, or tio may be taken between 7 August 2024 and 6 August 2026.

Recent surveys show that at Te Mātā / Waipatukahu, large pipi (≥ 50 mm) densities rose to about 171 per m² in 2023–24, up from 83 per m² in 2021–22. While encouraging, most pipi remain small recruits, meaning continued protection is vital to rebuild mature stocks along our coastline. The current rāhui supports this recovery for pipi, tuangi, kūtai, and tio within the protected area.

Our focus remains on the health and restoration of Tikapakapa. Through partnership with TCDC, WRC, DOC, and MPI (Fisheries NZ) - and the dedication of our Pou Rāhui Mātai Moana team, we continue to uphold the intent of the rāhui: protecting our taonga species, restoring balance, and nurturing the next generation of kaitiaki to carry this work forward.

We extend our thanks to our partners and to our local community for their ongoing support and vigilance in upholding the rāhui. Your collective efforts help safeguard our moana, protect our endangered species, and restore our coastline for generations to come. Ka ora te moana, ka ora te whenua, ka ora te tangata. 

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa.





Hauraki Climate Change Symposium – Building Understanding and Action

On Wednesday, 29 October, the Hauraki Climate Change Symposium was held at the Thames Civic Centre, in partnership with Ngāti Tamaterā and Pou Take Āhuarangi – the Climate Pou of the National Iwi Chairs Forum. This significant kaupapa brought together national and local perspectives to support Hauraki communities in planning for a resilient and sustainable future.

The symposium was strengthened through the collaboration and active participation of Thames-Coromandel District Council, Auckland Council, Auckland Emergency Management, Waikato Regional Council, Hauraki District Council, and Matamata-Piako District Council, reflecting a unified commitment to climate adaptation and collective action across the region for our whānau, hapū and Iwi. 

The event was an outstanding success, with a great turnout and valuable learning shared throughout the day. Participants explored how climate change is already impacting our rohe and discussed practical approaches to adaptation planning and community resilience.

This symposium strengthened relationships between whānau and councils, creating space for shared understanding and collaboration. It also highlighted the importance of working together to ensure our marae, papakāinga, and communities are prepared for the challenges ahead.

Together, we are building pathways towards a sustainable and climate-ready Hauraki.

Forestry Workshop

Friday 28 November 2025 | 9:00am–1:30pm | Te Puru Hall, Thames

Kia ora koutou - Join us for a hands-on wānanga on growing native forests, co-hosted by Ngāti Tamaterā and the New Zealand Forest Service (Te Uru Rākau – MPI).

This interactive session will bring together iwi, Māori landowners, and environmental champions to explore practical pathways for restoring our ngahere and strengthening kaitiakitanga across Hauraki.

Workshop Topics include:

• Transition forestry and seed islands – Meg Graeme, Tane’s Tree Trust
• Rongoā and native plant propagation – Robert (Pā) McGowan, Tiwaiwaka
• Native forests and the Emissions Trading Scheme – Mark Forsyth, NZ Forest Service
• Māori Agribusiness support and funding – Jarred Wilson, MPI

Come and be inspired by leading experts, share your local mātauranga, and connect with others passionate about restoring native ecosystems for future generations.

Free to attend – catering provided.

Register by clicking the button below



Oranga Ōhanga

Inaugural Hauraki Māori Business Awards

The inaugural Hauraki Māori Business Awards 2025 celebrated Māori enterprise, innovation, and leadership across the Hauraki rohe at the Silver Fern Farms Events Centre in Te Aroha. Hosted by the Ngāti Tamaterā Treaty Settlement Trust, the event brought together over 300 guests — including Te Arikinui Kuini Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō, government representatives, mana whenua, business owners, and community leaders — to honour Māori businesses driving economic growth, cultural strength, and community wellbeing. Check out some highlights from this inspiring evening below.

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.

Hui Tāne Roadshow -  Hauraki

Earlier this month we were fortunate to host Okena  at Te Puru School Hall as part of his Hui Tāne roadshow across Aotearoa. The kaupapa was centred on sharing reflections and learnings from this year’s National Hui Tāne Wānanga, providing valuable feedback and insight into the kōrero, experiences, and outcomes gathered from tāne who attended and also te ohu whakahaere.

With the support from Healthy Families & TKHOH our role here in Hauraki was to create a space for Okena to share those kōrero and for our own tāne to contribute their perspectives — discussing what’s happening locally, what’s working well, and what areas we could strengthen in the years ahead.

It was an uplifting evening of connection, kōrero, and collaboration — all focused on supporting the wellbeing and growth of our Hauraki Tāne. He mihi nui ki a Okena me tōna tira for bringing this kaupapa to our rohe, and to all our whānau who travelled near and far to listen, share, and contribute whakaaro to the ongoing journey of supporting our tāne. Tēnei, ka mihi.

Representing Our Communities on the Global Stage:

26th Nursing Network on Violence Against Women International Conference

Dr Te Wai Barbarich-Unasa recently attended the Nursing Network on Violence Against Women International (NNVAWI) Conference in Niagara on the Lake. This was an extraordinary opportunity to connect with researchers, and advocates from across the world who are committed to preventing violence and advancing the wellbeing of women, whānau, and communities.

It was a privilege to present my PhD research (rangatahi engagement in health services) and contribute to the closing panel, “Hope in Action: Global Perspectives on the Future of Violence Prevention.” The discussion explored how health and social systems can be transformed to truly empower rangatahi, ensuring that when they seek help, they are met with understanding, care, and culturally responsive support.

This experience reinforced the importance of voices in shaping global conversations about violence prevention, healing, and resilience. I also want to mihi to Ngāti Tamaterā Treaty Settlement Trust for their support of this kaupapa, which enabled me to represent our communities on the international stage. Together, we continue the mahi toward a future where our rangatahi can thrive and live lives free from violence.