TRUSTEE CANDIDATE PROFILES

 (Candidates are listed in alphabetical order of their first names.)

ARIN MATAMUA

Direct descendant of the Whangnanui Awa Tipuna - Ruatipua - Tamakana - Tamakeno - Taurangatautahi - Uenuku Tope - Te Piki Kotuku.

Tena Koutou Katoa. My name is Arin Kenneth Matamua.  My Marae is Whakahou Te Rena Taurewa, the first Marae on the Awa from Ruapehu.

My vision is to Promote Tourism and bringing the people of the Awa together to work as one from the Mountain to the Sea plus work for the Moko's. Clean up the Awa from Pollution. Through the many Waitangi Hui's i have met so many of my Awa Connections. I am able to work with others and will give it my best.

FRANA CHASE

Ngati Haua, Ngati Whiti, Ngati Tuwharetoa and Ngati Maniapoto decent. 

Born in Taihape, residing in Moawhango Valley before moving to Taumarunui in her early teens. 40 years of age and is married to Bruce Wanakore, they have seven children Jesse (22), Deanna (20), Anthony (17), Taylor (16), Oriwia (11), Hiraka (10) and Te Ao Marama (9). This was a strategic plan for Hapu Development.

Frana has worked in a broad range of social sector environments including health, social, justice and education over the past 22 years.  This is both statutory and Iwi roles.  Frana has experience in governance positions locally and nationally, currently as a Trustee of Ngati Haua Iwi Trust, Te Runanga o Ngati Whitikaupeka and Raukawa Maniapoto Health Alliance. Understanding the difference between governance and management (operations) and is currently employed at Taumarunui Community Kokiri Trust Whanau Ora Centre as the Kaitakawaenga for Whanau Ora.

Working “not just from 9 to 5” to fight the injustice imposed on our people as a result of colonisation and to develop strategies address this.  Having agreed to stand because timing is everything and we must ensure that our people put themselves forward if they have the skills and commitment.  If we all do this then our Iwi will have a plentiful kete to choose from for our future.

MARGARET KONUI

Ngati Haua - Whanganui

The youngest daughter of Rokati Ngarongo and Maki (nee Bell) from a whanau of 16 children from Tawata. Having lived in Taumarunui all my life and 3 children and 12 mokopuna.

Involved and support community/marae/hapu/ Iwi events.  A current Trustee for:  The Whanganui River Māori Trust Board, Hinengakau Development Trust, Tawata Whanau Trust and Wharauroa Marae. Employed with Hinengakau Matua Whangai which is a Social Service/ Health provider to Taumarunui. Also the manager for Hinengakau Hauora which is one of the 5 clinics forming a Rongoa collective in the Whanganui Catchment Area contracted by Ministry of Health through Nga Tai O Te Awa for the Upper Reaches of the Whanganui River.  

I believe I can bring insight, contribute ideas, momentum and energy to the Trust Board. As a Trust Board Member I would relish the chance to continue working with the team and help us achieve our aspirations. I enjoy being part of creating a strong vision and then contributing via workable strategies in making it a reality. I have a strong whanau ethic, value working with others and accordingly have built strong relationships inside and outside our Iwi.

PIKI TAIAROA

Ngati Haua - Whanganui, Ngati Apa, Maniapoto, Tuwharetoa & Ngati Maru - Taranaki.

Born in Taumarunui in 1971 to Te Rumana (Lofty) Taiaroa & Naomi Taiaroa (nee Downs) & resides in Taumarunui.  Piki is mum to Te Rumana and Tukiri aged 4 & 3.

Educated at Turaki, St Pats Convent & Taumarunui High School. Working for Westpac bank for 14 years ensured a sound background in finance leaving Westpac in 2000 to work for Hinengakau Development Trust as the Maori Community Development Worker managing projects of whanau and hapu development which included, Whanganui River Guides Tourism operation, Uhi Taa Raakau Carving School, Hinengakau Pest Control, Te Amo Taiao Environmental Unit, Community Max Programme, Hinengakau Holiday Programme, Hinengakau Housing & Hinengakau Hauora.  A Qualified Zumba Instructor. Piki currently manages Hinengakau Development Trust & Hinengakau Maatua Whangai Iwi Social Services in Taumarunui working in whanau, hapu & Iwi development.

Piki has a very forthright no nonsense attitude and was appointed to the Whanganui River Maori Trust board in 2010 by Hinengakau hapu after the passing of the late Sir Archie Te Atawhai Taiaroa.
In the words of Rangatira Te Atawhai :

"We must fulfil the work that our Tupuna began and that we all stay focused, work together and support one another so that we may leave a legacy that our mokopuna can be proud of."

RUMATIKI LINDA HENRY TUROA   

Nga Hapu Katoa o Hinengakau, Upper Reaches | Whanganui  River

Raised: I tipu ake Ia i raro nga aroaro o Awanuiarua, Tuwharetoa, Waikato-Tainui. Raised by: Tino toto kaumatua, toto tino kaumatua, toto matua keke.

What is She: Teetahi mokopuna o ona Matua-tupuna te katoa.

Brain psyche: Roro Hinengaro whakaaro-tino Awanuiarua. Mai nga tapa katoa o te Kahui Maunga ki Tangaroa.

Personal vision, within membership of WRMTB:

• Participate as team worker to help our IWI appointed Negotiators achieve post settlement  stage with the Crown for Whanganui River----- AND IN OUR LIFETIME
• Be in the "ringamahi back stands", to help all Rohe Uri determine A VERY ACTIVE & STRONG ROHE LEADERSHIP AUTHORITY to onshore "nationhood"  lead  & offshore "globally unified"  lead our Rohe Uri ake,ake --- AND IN OUR LIFETIME
• Participate as team worker to help secure the business and funding accrument to get 1 and 2 jobs done ---- AND IN OUR LIFETIME
• To be a team worker to make sure We (Uri katoa)realise our:- economic business strength & potential; our Rohe Maaori strength and potential; our Tribal population strength & potential; ------ Hopefully, IN OUR LIFETIME
• Participate as a team worker to kiss goodbye to the Whanganui River Maori Trust Board's present structure, function, role and lifespan -----IN OUR LIFETIME