The Tauranga Moana Housing Conference Committee 2016

In 2014 at the Whanganui conference, Tauranga Moana made a “tono” to bring the 2016 National Maori Housing Conference to Tauranga Moana which was accepted by the conference fraternity. In April 2015, the Tauranga Moana Housing Conference Committee was established to plan the Conference.  The Committee comprises members of the Tangata Whenua Collective, Joint Agency Group (Western Bay of Plenty Council and Tauranga City Council), and individuals involved in Housing and Papakainga delivery in Tauranga Moana. Also on the committee is a staff representative of Te Puni Kokiri, who is one of our major sponsors.

The Committee's purpose is to plan for and deliver an exemplar National Maori Housing Conference for 2016.  We can also make ourselves available to assist the next Conference organisers and share our knowledge and experience so that subsequent regions can build their capacity and continue a momentum of delivering exceptional Conferences and National strategies that will help shape the strategic actions and direction for Maori in the housing context.

Puhirake Ihaka 
Chair of the Tauranga Moana Tangata Whenua Collective

Puhirake is the Chair of the Tauranga Moana Tangata Whenua Collective and Chair a number of Iwi, Hapu and Community boards and Committees including the Ngati Tapu Hapu Trust, Te Matahauariki o Tauranga Moana and the Otamataha Trust.
 
Puhirake is also sits on the Ngai Te Rangi Iwi Settlement Trust and Te Runanga Trust and is a Director on Ngai Te Rangi Fisheries Co. Ltd and the Iwi Collective Partnership
 
Puhirake has been very active in the area of housing development for Maori land in Tauranga Moana.  This has been an key priority for the Tauranga Moana Tangata Whenua Collective which plays a high supportive role in this kaupapa.

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Victoria Kingi 
LLB (Hons) , Managing Director of Papakainga Solutions Limited

Victoria is Managing Director of Papakainga Solutions Limited and specialises in Papakainga housing and Affordable housing solutions for Maori. Victoria has been involved in numerous Papakainga housing projects and has acted in an advisory capacity to local and central government. She is a trustee of the New Zealand Blood Service Board; Mangatawa Papamoa Blocks and Nga Potiki a Tamapahore Trust.

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Te Pio Kawe
Kaiarataki; Te Hihiri - Strategic Advisor; Māori for Boffa Miskell

​​Te Pio is the Kaiarataki; Te Hihiri - Strategic Advisor; Māori for Boffa Miskell.  His skills and experience have been gained by working on whanau and hapu development projects specialising in Māori community housing (papakāinga) and hapū management plans.
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Te Pio has a passion for working with Māori organisations to enhance their aspirations to develop and protect their land and other resources, engagement and relationships with Local and Regional Authorities and other Government Agencies.

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Chris Nepia
Māori Relationships and Engagement Advisor, Western Bay of Plenty District Council

“He uri ahau nō Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Pukenga me Ngai te Rangi anō hoki.  I tipu ake ahau ki roto ō Tauranga, i runga i ngā whenua tūpuna ō tōku hapū a Ngai Tamarāwaho.”
 
Chris is the Māori Relationships and Engagement Advisor with the Western Bay of Plenty District Council.  Chris’s role is to strengthen and enhance Council’s relationship with Tangata Whenua.  The scope of this mahi reaches across the business of Council including Community Engagement, Policy Development, Strategic advice, Project support and Cultural support.

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Clarke Koopu
Māori Policy Advisor, Toi Moana Regional Council

Mai te Taumata o Apanui ki Pōtaka, Ko Whanokao te maungaKo Mōtū te awa, Apanui Ringamutu te tangata, Ko Te Whānau-a-Apanui te iwi, Ko Te Whānau a Hikarukutai te Hapū.
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Clarke is a Māori Policy Advisor for Toi Moana Regional Council. His role is to assist in the development of policy, planning and fostering relationships Iwi/Hapu and Regional Council.  

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Keren Paekau
Kaiarahi Maori, Tauranga City Council

Keren is the Kaiarahi Maori at the Tauranga City Council.  Her role role involves managing the relationships between Iwi and Hapū and Council specifically around Policy and Strategy development
and project management.

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Our Project Manager

Awhina August
BCom, Managing Director of August & August Ltd. trading as Māoriworks

Māoriworks provides a diverse range of events that engages communities through innovative projects that educates, motivates and inspires. Awhina has been involved in the delivery and management of many community events in the Bay of Plenty region including the Mount Festival of Multi Sport, Matariki ki Mauao, and the Tauranga Moana Rangatahi Awards. 

​She is a trustee of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Otepou and the Tauranga Māori Business Association.

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Finances & Administration

Nga Potiki a Tamapahore Trust

The legal entity to umbrella the finances and administration of the Conference is the Nga Potiki a Tamapahore Trust (NPTT).