About the Taiwhenua:

Like the unfurling koru frond of a native fern, Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga has grown, developed and strengthened over the years. The journey has been rich with learning, highs and lows, testing times and many pioneering moments. Illustrated in this section are the principles, values and experiences that make us unique and assisted to create the kaupapa Māori environment we have at Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga.

 

Pepeha:

Ko Kahurānaki te maunga

Ko Ngaruroro te awa

Ko Takitimu te waka

Ko Ngāti Kahungunu te iwi

Ko Heretaunga te Taiwhenua

 

Whakatauākī:

• Heretaunga Haukū nui

• Heretaunga Ararau

• Heretaunga Haaro o Te Kaahu

• Heretaunga Takotoa noa

• Heretaunga of life giving dew

• Heretaunga of Arcadian pathways

• Heretaunga, beauty of which can only be seen by the Hawk

• Heretaunga that has been left to us the humble servants

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Governance:

The Governance of Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga is the Te Haaro Board of Trustees. The Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga Trust Deed was aligned to Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated processes in 2000, resulting in Marae/ Hapū and Ngā Maata Waka representation on the Board of Trustees. Seventeen (17) Marae are represented on Te Haaro Board of Trustees through natural Marae clusters. The Te Haaro Board of Trustees provide the visionary strategic leadership for Heretaunga that reflects the needs and aspirations of Marae/ Hapū, Whānau and Communities. Te Haaro also ensures Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga is high performing, compliant and fulfilling the vision and kaupapa in accordance with the Trust Deed and tikanga.

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Te Haaro Board: (As of January 2026)

• Chairperson: Mike Paku

• Deputy Chairperson: Kane Koko

• Mangaroa Marae: Thompson-Hokianga

• Ōmahu Marae: Moana-Lee Mackey

• Mihiroa Marae:Donna Keefe

• Te Aranga Marae: Shelley Pritchard

• Te Awhina Marae: Diane Huriwai

• Rūnanga Marae: Charlesirene Kenrick

• Kahurānaki Marae: Leah Hapuku-Annan

• Houngarea Marae: Heeni Carlson

• Taraia Marae: Kane Koko

• Matahiwi Marae: Ripeka Kireka

• Waimārama Marae:

• Korongatā Marae: Christine Tamati

• Waipatu Marae: Anthea Toheriri 

• Ruahāpia Marae: Crystal Edwards (NKII Board Member)

 

​Office Management 

• Chief Executive Officer - Waylyn Tahuri-Whaipakanga

• Pou Tikanga - Lum Tahuri

• Te Kaihautu and Environment and Natural Resources - Marei Apatu

 

Contact Information

• Physical Address - 821 Orchard Road, Hastings 4122

• Postal Address: PO Box 718, Hastings

• Phone: 0800 TAIWHENUA or 06 8715350

• Email Address: Taiwhenua.heretaunga@ttoh.iwi.nz

• Website: www.ttoh.iwi.nz

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