Trustees
The Trust Deed requires there to be at least five but no more than seven Trustees who are descendants of Ngāti Raukawa and who are registered members. Trustees either serve for a two- or three-year term. It is an elected position.
The Trust’s current trustees are:
- Rachael Selby – Chairperson
- Emma Winiata – Deputy Chair
- Justin Tamihana
- Cyril Mako
- Bernadette Arapere
- Wayne Kiriona
- Areti Metuamate
Raukawa ki te Tonga Trust Trustees - left to right: Rachael Selby, Justin Tamihana, Bernadette Arapere, Emma Winiata, Jerald Twomey and Cyril Mako.
Rachael Selby has chaired the Trust since 2011 following a term on the Establishment Committee. She is a retired academic and retains an interest in oral history research. Rachael chairs the Ngātokowaru Marae Committee, the Ōtaki & Porirua Trusts Board and Te Reanga Ipurangi Ōtaki Education Trust. She brings a background in governance and policy development, philanthropy and fund raising to the Trust. Rachael is keen to see the iwi register double in size and has contributed to policy development over the nine years she has been active.
Emma Winiata has been the Deputy Chair for the past year. She brings a legal and policy background to the Trust and experience with strategic planning and Māori development. She has played a key role in promoting a review of the performance of the Trust, organising governance and trustee training. She is developing a more effective communications policy and plays a key role in liaising with the Asset Holding Company Directors. Emma is the kaihautū of the Te Wānanga o Raukawa Foundation where she has the task of advancing Māori development within a Māori organisation. She is active at Ngātokowaru Marae and closely linked to Ngāti Parewahawaha. Emma began a further three-year term on the Trust in 2019.
Wayne Kiriona - Ko Ngāti Raukawa te Iwi, Ko Ngāti Huia te Hapu, Ko Matau te Marae
Born and raised at Poroutawhao, Wayne’s home is next to his Marae where he has served as Marae Treasurer for almost 30 years. During that time, he also represented his hapu on iwi boards and committees. He is currently serving on Te Runanga Whaiti and Raukawa Whānau Ora Boards.
He has followed the progression of the fisheries settlement process from its inception and has a good knowledge of the efforts of our three Kaumātua who fought for well over 10 years in negotiation with the Crown to pave the way for our current Iwi settlement. He hopes that the aspirations of those kaumātua for the future of the iwi will be fulfilled. Before being employed by Te Runanga O Raukawa, he spent 20 years working in Mental Health within the iwi. As a keen fisherman, he has a passion for customary fisheries rights and the protection of our waterways. He is supportive of initiatives that promote the development and survival of our Marae and hapū structures and will endeavour to serve and strengthen his iwi and hapū.
Dr Areti Metuamate is of Ngāti Kauwhata, Ngāti Haua, and the Cook Islands. Areti has worked in universities and government roles in both Aotearoa and Australia and is a member of several boards related to education and health in both countries, where he has a specific focus on equality and social justice. Areti is an old boy of Hato Paora College, and a graduate of both Victoria University of Wellington and the Australian National University in Canberra. He is married to Aboriginal scholar, Dr Jessa Rogers, and they have three sons.
Justin Tamihana is an active whānau, hapū and iwi member from Ngāti Huia ki Poroutāwhao where he chairs the marae committee. He represents the hapū on various community and iwi groups, is a delegate to Te Rūnanga o Raukawa and the Ngāti Kikopiri Māori Marae Society. Justin is active with DOC in Whale Stranding events, in Foxton with the River Loop Committee, the Progressive Association and the Manawatū Estuary Committee. He advocates for marae in the region and is active in iwi and local body liaison committees. As a trustee Justin has a particular interest in the fishing industry, fisheries settlement and the range of commercial, recreational and customary issues that have developed. Justin began a further term on the Trust in 2019.
Cyril Mako brings a background in education, statistics, data analysis, Māori medium education, policy development, governance and business administration to the Trust. From Ngāti Manomano, he is active in governance on various Land Trusts. Cyril has taught Data Analysis at Te Wānanga o Raukawa and supported his children through Māori medium education, after completing tertiary education qualifications, all combined to build a strong background in education, thus he works for the Ministry of Education as a Chief Advisor. Cyril has a particular interest in the iwi register and in rebuilding the register to better meet the needs of the Trust’s members.
Bernadette Arapere was one of the original trustees elected in 2011. She served a term as Deputy Chair before standing down for a period until 2017 when she was re-elected. Bernadette is from Ngāti Pikiahu-Waewae, Ngāti Parewahawaha and Ngāti Whakatere. She has been a Barrister and Solicitor specialising in Public and Administrative law, litigation and Māori legal issues for over 15 years. She brings strengths in governance and an interest in growing the fisheries assets. Bernadette is also a trustee with the NZ Law Foundation and was Co-chair of Community Law Centres o Aotearoa. Bernadette is currently a tauira in Heke Poutuarongo Reo Māori at Te Wānanga o Raukawa.