Ngāti Kahungunu

Dale works for The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) as an Advisor Māori. She assists NZQA with its commitment to Ākonga Māori success. She is responsible for the delivery of information and engagements through NCEA me te Whānau Workshops, education events, Equity in STEM (Science, technology, engineering and maths) information programs including working with Kura/Schools and Māori communities.

Ngāti Porou me Ngāti Kahungunu

Hana is an Intensive Response Social Worker at Oranga Tamariki. She is passionate about whānau wellbeing and development.

Ngāti Porou me Ngāti Kahungunu

Sally is a Kairangahau Matua (Research Lead) at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Her background is in research, social work, mental health & addictions, education & business. Sally also holds an Indigenous Doctorate specialising in puku-roro (gut-brain) axis and connection to overall wellbeing.

Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa, Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Manawa and Ngāti Pikiao

Te Rika is an experienced governor and trustee, and is currently a Kaitohutohu Matua a Rohe for Te Puni Kokiri’s Waikato-Waiariki region. His passion is in the service of his people, the protection of whenua, and in the revitalisation of Te Ao Māori. Te Rika is a legal researcher by training, and has completed an LLB (Māori & Indigenous Research), and holds a Masters of Law (Maori / Indigenous Law).

Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Pahauwera, Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga a Mahaki

Cody is an artist specialising in toi Māori, Taa moko, and digital graphics. Operating as Haruru arts, this name comes from his maunga, “Maungaharuru” which is to reflect the whakatauki “Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe me maunga teitei" which translates as "Seek out your heart's desire, though if you have to bow, let it be to a lofty mountain”. This is to ensure all mahi Cody produces, or is involved in to be held to a high standard using his maunga as a measuring standard to keep himself accountable.

Te Whakatōhea, Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa

Thu-Lena is the Senior Whānau Connect Lead for the Child Cancer Foundation, which oversees and provides support to the volunteer committees across Aoteroa whose mission is to connect whānau through shared experiences.

She is a Registered Nurse and has a background in health, education, business and mahi in the not-for-profit sector. Through personal experiences, Thu-Lena has become passionate about palliative care and bereavement support.

Tainui, Cook Islands

Catherine is a Community & Justice Liaison Nurse for the Mental Health, Addiction & Intellectual Disability Service (MHAIDS). She is passionate about helping reduce the negative stigma around mental health.

Ngati Kahungunu ki Mohaka, Ngāti Porou ki Ruatoria, Te Arawa Ngāti Whakaue.

Nanny Waka was born in Waipiro Bay in 1942 and made her way to Hawkes Bay in 1958. She married Stephen Rye and they settled in Maraenui Napier in the early 70s, the Rye homestead still stands in the heart of Maraenui where she raised her 5 tamariki, her many nieces and nephews and the wider community. The Rye whare was a local gathering place for youth before the establishment of Pukemokimoki Marae. Nanny Waka was an elite sportswoman and over the years she alongside Stephen coached many netball, rugby and softball teams for Maraenui, Colenso Pirates and Hawkes Bay. Nanny Waka has spent many years mentoring young wāhine and in more recent years has been a solid pou for Toi Matarua and the Rongo ā Puku and Moko Boys kaupapa.

Ngāti Pahauwera, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou

"Pihi ake te whakaaro pai. Plant good thoughts, reap what you sow."

Matua Tiwana proudly refers to himself as a product of the kohanga reo kaupapa. He is ex-army, Pukemokimoki Marae chairman, has been a member of the Kohanga Reo national trust, on Napier City Council's Maori consultative committee, support role Pou Ahurea with the Hawke's Bay District Health Board, and has held roles at the Maraenui Rugby Club. He has been recognised for all his mahi with a Queen’s Service Medal.

Matua has spent many years supporting tamariki and rangatahi in his mahi and has more recently become a pou for Toi Matarua kaupapa and mentor for the many rangatahi that come through its development programs. In October he travelled with the TM’s Te Pūtiki Wharanui leadership development rōpū over to Oahu, Hawai’i to support their cultural exchange.

Te Aupōuri, Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua, Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Maniapoto

Paula is an associate of Toi Matarua. She is a vocationally registered public health medicine specialist (FNZCPHM) and Kaupapa Māori researcher. She also holds a senior research fellow role at Te Rōpū Rangahau Hauora a Eru Pōmare at the University of Otago in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.

Rongomaiwahine

Soraya is one of Toi Matarua’s Cultural Advisors. Her background is in education, youth work and mental health & addictions. She currently works for Te Paepae Arahi as a Kaimahi Rangatahi and Ngā Kete Aronui Cultural Lead.

Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Hineuru, Kai Tahu, NgātI Porou, Ngāti Maniapoto

Harlem-Cruz holds a Bachelor of Arts Te Reo Māori, Te Tohu Whakapakari o Te Kōhanga Reo and is a qualified youth worker. She has a background in Kōhanga Reo and youth development and currently runs her own business ‘Purotu’ which is a development pakihi specifically targeted to hine and wahine Māori.

Ngāti Rangitihi, Waitaha, Te Arawa waka

Matitī, matatā Te tara i wera ai te whenua Te tara i wera ai te moana kia wāwāhi ake ki rua wāhanga Ka puhā ake ko Tarawera. Ko Te Aramoana Brady tōku ingoa.

He ihu oneone tēnei i kapua mai i Te Paepae Ārahi Trust, e ngākau nui ana ki te hāpai nei te hauora o ngā rangatahi. E kaha ai te aro a te rangatahi ki tāna e wawata ana, e kite ai i tōna anō hua, e mārama ai te titiro whakamua.

Ngāpuhi, Cook Island

Matt has a huge passion for people, and a willing heart to serve Rangatahi. He has worked in the youth sector for over 20 years. Supporting and mentoring Youth towards the aspirations of Tino Rangatiratanga (self-determination). His background in social services and applied practices has opened many areas of influence. It is his dream to inspire, motivate and encourage rangatahi in the pursuit of Mauri ora.

Ngāti Porou

Wiari is an Advanced Scaffolder and owner of Kahu Scaffolding based in Hawkes Bay. Out of work, Wiari is active in suicide pre/post prevention and is a qualified youth worker. He is a business advisor and tāne ora mentor for Toi Matarua.

Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa

“Tuia ki te rangi, tuia ki te whenua, tuia ki te moana, e rongo te po, e rongo te Ao”. Rikki is a renowned Ngāti Kahungunu Maramataka expert. His main area of interest is Nga Kitenga o te Maramataka: Insights into the Maramamataka (Maori Moon Calendar) and its relation to suicide. He facilitates workshops and advises us on Maramataka and Astrology.

Tainui, Pukekohe

Nik owns multiple properties in Auckland, Tauranga and Napier where he has picked up skills in landscaping, fencing, concreting and roofing. He is passing these skills for life onto the MokoBoys a kaupapa close to his heart. Giving young people purpose and direction provides them the confidence and focus to continually strive for great things

Ngāti Porou (Te Whānau a Tūwhakairiora, Te Aitanga a Mate.) Samoa

Te Aho is a visual storyteller, using the power of photography to revitalise and reclaim narratives for the communities that nurtured them. They are proud to represent and contribute to Māori, Pasifika, LGBTQIA+, and MVPFAFF+ groups in their mahi. Their aspiration is that indigenous rangatahi can step into their own truth and through the arts, can share their story confidently with the world.

He uri tēnei o te maunga tauheke, te maunga rongo, Taranaki titohea. Here atu ki Te au o Waikato, ko Weriweri te whare e tū mai rā. Peka atu ki Te Tairāwhiti, ki Te Araroa, tau ana. Ko Tira Te Ihi-o-te-rā Lee-Kirk tēnei e mihi ana.

He tauira tēnei nō te puna kōhanga reo, i hou mai i ngā Kura Kaupapa me ngā Kura Matatini o te motu nei.

Tira has worked across public, community and Iwi sectors primarily in research roles, Tira is currently the host of the Parakuihi show on Irirangi Kahungunu and covers the current events of Te Matau a Maui. Ko te reo te take - Kei te ora tonu tō tāua reo tuku iho i roto i ngā tētē kura o te āpōpō!

Ngāti Kahungunu & Tūhoe

Tipene was brought up in the kaupapa and has always been involved whether it was performing with 2FaceDrama or supporting at conferences and wānanga. Now he gives back to the kaupapa through voluntary work and supervising the MokoBoys.

Rongomaiwahine, Ngāi Tūhoe

Jahson was mentored and nurtured into a role at Toi Matarua. This has helped him to build the skills and confidence necessary to move onto mahi in construction. He now supports the kaupapa through volunteering and supervising the MokoBoys.

Tainui

Julia, 16yrs, attends Napier Girls High School. Her interests are rongoā, fashion, beauty, photography and mahi toi.

Ngāti Kahungunu

Nikora, 18yrs, attended Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Ara Hou. His interests are mātauranga Māori, waka ama, rugby, haka, and debating.

Ngāti Kahungunu

Materita, 17yrs, attends William Colenso College. Her interests are cooking, kapahaka and learning more about her Māoritanga.

Rongomaiwahine, Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou

Hikurangi, 14yrs, attends Te Aratika Academy. His interests are cooking and he aspires to become a chef.

Ngāti Kahungunu

Gracyn, 15yrs, is the captain at Shamrock Boxing. His interests are boxing and helping out the kaumātua.

Ngāti Kahungunu

Peter, 17yrs, attends Te Aratika Academy. His interests are basketball and te ao Māori.

Rongomaiwahine

Precious, 16yrs, attends Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāti Kahungunu o Te Wairoa. Her interests are kapahaka.

Tūhoe

Te Whetu, 17 yrs, is a rap artist from Wellington. He wants to be a better rangatahi for the people in need because there is no one that is beyond the reach of change.

Rongomaiwahine, Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou

Neon, 13 yrs, attends Mangateretere School. He is interning, the next generation learning the ropes of MokoBoys. He enjoys sports and gaming.

Rongomaiwahine, Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou

Jarli, 11 yrs, attends Marewa School. He is interning, the next generation learning the ropes of MokoBoys. He enjoys spending time with whānau and gaming.

Ngāti Kahungunu

Joseph, 16yrs, Flaxmere College student. Joseph specialises in social media management and interviewing. He enjoys Volleyball, Basketball and is just an all-around good guy

Ngāti Raukawa

Amaiah, 15yrs, goes to Napier Girls High School. Her interests are Photography, Fashion, Sports such as Netball, Volleyball, Dance and Hockey

Ngāti Kahungunu

Vellyn, 13yrs, attends Napier Boys High School. He is a boxer at Shamrock Boxing and training to become one of our social media analysts and a familiar face in front of the camera.

Ngāti Kahungunu

Charlizza is a visionary leader passionate about Indigenous Advancement. She started this kaupapa at the age of 17, which now oversees a web of positive initiatives across Aotearoa designed for the betterment of rangatahi Māori and their whānau. She is currently in the final stages of her doctoral thesis on rangatahi Māori suicide.

Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa

Sarah is a qualified youth worker. She joined this kaupapa as a participant when she was in high school and now she helps in running our leadership programs and rangatahi wānanga. She is currently doing her Masters in indigenous studies through Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.

Ngāti Porou

Taka works as a community researcher. I am also the Founder and Head Coach of Shamrock Boxing Maraenui Napier. After losing my son to suicide in 2022 I became passionate about helping our youth in our community to work through the barriers they face. I use boxing as a vehicle to teach rangatahi about their mental and physical health while incorporating the values of respect, resilience, and the importance of positive relationships in and out of the gym.

Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa & Ngāti Porou

Young Māori Entrepreneur who is currently running her own business for products and services while also being a full-time mummy. Ruby is the Manager of Māku Enterprises.