I tērā tau, we returned to Te Taumata o Kupe, the place where it all began, to celebrate the graduation of our inaugural He Tukutuku Koiora Māori Associate Directorship Programme cohort.
After two-and-a-half years of wānanga, reflection, challenge, and growth, our eight Amonuku (Associate Directors) stood in front of their whānau, Pūkenga, and Host Boards to share their journey and receive their taonga.
From the very first noho wānanga in 2022 to the completion of their board placements in 2025, this programme has been a journey of transformation. We have watched our Amonuku grow into confident, capable, and tikanga-driven leaders, ready to navigate the complexities of modern governance.
Heoi anō, this kaupapa is more than just governance training. It is about building a movement grounded in servitude, ensuring our next wave of Māori governance practitioners have the expertise, guidance, and support to be effective leaders for our people, me ngā reanga o āpōpō.
To our Amonuku, ngā mihi aroha ki a koutou. Your dedication, courage, and insight have laid the foundation for a new wave of Māori leadership in Aotearoa: Ernestynne Walsh, Kale Panoho, Jesse Rihia, Teahooterangi Pihama, Emma Winiata, Joanne Reidy, Hinurewa Poutu, and Peata Williams.
To our Pūkenga, thank you for your unwavering generosity, guidance, and wisdom throughout each module and every wānanga: Kate Cherrington, Bentham Atirau Ohia, Maria Ngawati, Dr Kathie Irwin, Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, Liana Poutu, Jodi ( Te Aomarama) Apiata, Dallas Harema, Charmaine Ngarimu, Robin Hapi CNZM, Awerangi Tamihere MNZM, Hone McGregor, Tuihana Ohia, Susan Huria, Nava Ramezanian, Chris Jackson, Rangi Ririnui, and Kevin McDonald.
And to our Host Boards, thank you for opening doors and creating space for our Amonuku to grow, contribute, and lead: Moana New Zealand, ChildFund New Zealand, Te Taumata, Te Mātāwai, Rua Bioscience, MetService, UNICEF Aotearoa, and Te Hononga Akoranga COMET.
Kua mutu te kaupapa, ka tīmata te aromatawai. With the completion of this pilot cohort, He Tukutuku Koiora now enters its review phase. But for now, we acknowledge the journey, the kaupapa, and the people who brought it to life – nō mātou te whiwhi.
Ngahuia Ormsby
