Our People

NGĀTI RURU, NGĀTI UENUKU

Sheena has spent more than 15 years working for the River having started at the Whanganui River Māori Trust Board under the leadership of the late Sir Archie Taiaroa. 

In 2012 Sheena took an active role in the management of the Trust Board as they transitioned through the Whanganui River Claim and supported the negotiation team.  Sheena worked through the establishment of Ngā Tāngata Tiaki o Whanganui as a senior member of the staff until leaving to establish her own consultancy company Raukura Ltd. 

Sheena was appointed to the Ngā Tāngata Tiaki o Whanganui Trust through the Te Rūnanga o Te Awa Tupua process and was elected Chairperson by her peers upon her first appointment in 2021. She has since been re-elected for a second term through the Te Rūnanga o Te Awa Tupua election process, and remains the Chairperson as appointed by her peers. 

NGĀTI HAUA

I was born and raised in Taumarunui. My upbringing features first and foremost te ahi kā o Titi Tihu. My grandfather Titi Tihu provided the learning that ensured that I would always bring my family home to Tawata for Christmas and New Year, learn the skills required for successful māra kai and what would one day be my key involvement in issues facing the iwi, hapū and whānau of Te Awa Tupua.

I see my role as a representative for all our people from the upper to the lower reaches of our Awa. I have no doubt that good governance with good strategy will ensure safe outcomes, with our first accountability to our marae and people. Communication is an imperative, kanohi ki te kanohi, I hope that my appointment provides an added opportunity to ensure our people continue to be involved in decisions which affect them both now and in the future. 

Kia Maraetia is something that Geoffrey exemplifies in life living at his principal marae Te Ao Hou the hapū of Ngāti Tupoho on the banks of the Awa in Whanganui. 

Through proactive leadership and community coordination.  Geoffrey is contributing to community social cohesion.  He is utilising Māori knowledge systems to inform and educate.  Geoffrey is dedicated to supporting community development at his community's marae in Whanganui.  He is responsible for overseeing various community and tribal activities at the marae, which help to strengthen the community and promote social unity. 

Raised in the wisdom of the whare wananga Geoffrey's continues to contribute to the vision of our mātua tupuna. 

NGĀ PAERANGI, NGĀTI TUERA, NGĀ HINEARO,
NGĀTI TONGAITI

E rere rā, e taku manu ki te tihi tapu o Paretetaitonga, ko runga o Koro Ruapehu, kia mātai atu te titiro ki Tongariro maunga, kei reira te mātāpuna o te wai mōhio. Ko Te Wainui ā-Rua tērā te tere atu ki te ākau, ki Te Kaihau-ā-Kupe. Ka hoka taku manu ki te riu o Kaiwhaiki, ka tau, ka rongo i te tangi o Te Poi a Tohu Kākahi. Tū mai rā Tunuhaere hei āhurutanga mō te iti, mō te rahi o te iwi o Ngā Paerangi. Kiritahitia mai rā ki te whare o te kōrero, ki a Te Kiritahi, ki a Te Whakahāwea e tū ana hei whare wānanga mōku.

NGĀTI RANGI, NGĀTI UENUKU

Taku piki amokura, nō tua whakarere, nō te pae ururangi he tipua ee! He mana hikinuku, he mana hikirangi nō te pae ki tawhiti anei tata ee! He uri nō ngā marae o Ngāti Rangi me Ngāti Uenuku. E noho ana ahau ki Raetihi, ā, he pānga anō ōku ki Ngāti Maru, Te Ātiawa me Ngāti Tūwharetoa.

NGĀ POUTAMANUI A AWA, TE ATIHAUNUI A PĀPĀRANGI
NGĀTI AOKEHU, NGĀTI TUPOHO

NGĀ PAERANGI

NGĀTI TUPOHO, NGĀTI RANGI

Ko Raymond Tauroa tōku pāpā, Ko Nga Puhi me Ngati Kahu ki Whangaroa te iwi, Nō Kaeo hau kāinga. 
Ko Aria Pohe-Graham tōku māmā, Ko Ngāti Tupoho me Ngāti Rangi ngā hapū, Ko Taihape te hau kāinga. 
Ko Siani Walker tōku ingoa, Nō Whanganui ahau.
I grew up in Whanganui, holidayed in Taihape, and tripped up and down Te Awa Tupua with my nanny Ani-Paki Waitai Haapu.

Those are times and memories that have ignited my desire to reconnect with Te Awa Tupua, be informed by Te Awa Tupua hapū, and especially important is to make time to enjoy with my whānau.  As an appointed Advisory Trustee to Ngā Tāngata Tiaki o Whanganui Trust, I am humbled by the knowledge, passion and commitment of those before me who have incrementally and staunchly lead the kaupapa for Te Awa Tupua. I hope to contribute to that kaupapa and the mahi needed to have the voice of Te Awa Tupua heard, to have the recognition of Te Awa Tupua clearly understood by communities and to make a contribution and difference in the care, nuture and management of this taonga.

NGĀTI UENUKU, NGĀTI RURU,
NGĀTI KURAWHATIA, NGĀTI HUIRAPA

Nancy has whakapapa connections to Whanganui (Te Atihaunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Rangi) and has extensive experience in governance, management and Māori and iwi development.

She has held senior management roles within the public sector, including serving as chief advisor to the chief executive of Te Puni Kōkiri/Ministry for Māori Development for three years, and serving as the chief executive of Whanganui health provider Te Oranganui between 2012 and 2016.

Nancy was an initial Trustee for Ngā Tāngata Tiaki Trust when it was first established in 2015, and again in 2018 as she supported the establishment phase of the Trust.

Nancy also represented the Trust on Te Whawhaki, the Whanganui Iwi Development Trust as the elected Chair. 

In June 2021, Nancy stepped down from her governance roles to take on the job of Kaihautū of the Trust.

This role is the next step in Nancy's life-long journey and commitment to Te Awa Tupua.