Mana Whakahaere
Our People
Trustee Membership
Trustee membership is through an election process held by each Marae. Membership election and tenure is through the mana of the Marae.
John Te Maru
Chair
Iwi affiliation: Ngaati Hauaa - Ngaati Werewere
John is one of the Rukumoana Marae representatives on the Tribal Trust and is currently the Chair. As well, Chairman of the Rukumoana Marae Trustees and Marae Committee, a trustee on the Wairuakohu Charitable Trust and director of several Ngaati Hauaa based companies.
John is deeply connected to his iwi and whenua through whakapapa and his Marae. His work reflects a strong commitment to service, collective wellbeing, resilience, and long‑term prosperity of the iwi. Naau te rourou, naaku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.
Teddy Wharawhara
Deputy Chair
Iwi affiliation: Ngaati Hauaa - Ngaati Werewere
Governance experience
Current:
Ngati Haua Tribal Trust – Director/Ex Chair
Previous:
- Te Rangatahi O Te Iti O Haua Trust – Chair
- Te Kura O Ngati Haua Trust -Trustee Member
- Tihi Puke Board of Trustees – Iwi Rep Member
- Maaori Men for Non Violence Trust – Chair
Mahi Experience:
Social Services Management; District Courts Advocacy, Community Probation Liaison, Prison Services Reintegration, Iwi/Community Collaboration
Linda Raupita
Accountant
Iwi affiliation: Iwi Ngaati Hauaa & Ngaiterangi
Linda Raupita representative of Waimakariri Marae for the Ngaati Hauaa Tribal Trust since 2011
From humble beginnings, my dearly beloved husband Adam and I – with the loyal support of our kaumatua and kuia at the time – envisioned and undertook the progressive rebuild of our marae. Developing and appreciating the marae over the past 30-years meant governance roles for iwi and other organisations were inescapable.
Currently serves as trustee and treasurer for Waimakariri Marae Trust; treasurer for Waimakariri Marae committee; trustee for Ngaati Hauaa Iwi Trust; trustee and FAR committee chair for Te Awhi Whānau Charitable Trust; and treasurer for Tainui Maaori Women’s Welfare League and Taikura a Hauaa.
Also serves as director and chair of Te Waharoa Investments; and Director of Hinewai Limited. Works at the Western Community Centre in Hamilton, as the accountant and funding manager.
Mandy Hotene
Board Secretary
Iwi affiliation: Ngaati Hauaa
Representative roles held as a Marae member of Te Iti o Hauaa
Previous governance roles: Ngaa Taiohi o Te Rangitaupi Charitable Trust, Kaitiaki aa rohe – Te Tai Hauaauru
Current governance roles: Member Te Whakakitenga o Waikato-Tainui, Ngaati Hauaa Tribal Trust, Ngaati Hauaa Representative for Te Roopuu Kaitiaki SWWTP.
Trish King
Trustee
Iwi affiliation: Ngaati Hauaa
I came onto the Ngaati Hauaa Tribal Trust in September of 2012 to represent Raungaiti Marae. I affiliate to Kai-a-Te-Mata marae. I am a Trustee on other whaanau Trusts and continue to support my Marae and Ngaati Hauaa as a whole. I was the Raungaiti Marae Treasurer but stepped down in 2023/2024 as it was time for a change.
I am an experienced farmer but now retired but I am still interested in the Dairy sector namely Fonterra and where the industry is heading.
Roddy Gillett
Trustee
Iwi affiliation: Ngaati Hauaa
I have had the privilege of serving as a representative for Raungaiti Marae since 2008, and a Trustee with the Ngaati Hauaa Tribal Trust since 2010, I have carried the responsibility of overseeing our Orchard in Omokoroa.
The orchard stands today as a testament to our resilience and our vision. It holds immense potential to generate sustainable dividends for our people – not only in financial return but in opportunities for employment, training, and intergenerational prosperity. With continued unity and strategic investment, the orchard will deliver lasting benefits for our whānau, our marae, and our future generations.
Tangiwai Neha Manihera-Palmer
Trustee
Iwi affiliation: Ngaati Hauaa, Ngaati Mahuta, Ngaati Korokii Kahukura, Ngaiterangi, Ngaati Ranginui, Ngaati Paoa and Ngaati Porou
Tangiwai is the Kai a te Mata Marae representative on the Tribal Trust and is one of the Trustees portfolio holders of the Omokoroa Orchard. As well is a Marae Trustee for Te Rangihouhiri o te Moutere o Matakana, Ngaitamawhariua Hapu Trust, and Chairs the Te Manihera Neha Manihera whanau Trust.
Previous governance roles included Okauia 4E2F2C land block regarding wai, whenua and environmental projects. Tangiwai stood in the 2019 Western Bay of Plenty Council elections but was unsuccessful.
Tangiwai currently owns and operates 2 businesses, Mo’s Matakana Island Tours Ltd and Toroa Matakana Limited.
Tumohe Clarke
Trustee
Iwi affiliation: Ngaati Hauaa, Ngaati Korokii Kahukura
Currently I am the Marae Committee Chairman for Kai-a-te-mata Marae and a Trustee. Deputy Chairman of Te Hauora o Ngaati Hauaa Board of Trustees, Hauaa Iwi Representative on the Ngaa Marae Toopu Executive, and Kai-a-te-mata Marae Representative. Suffice to say that I have formed relationships with many groups and many people over the years.
I grew up farming and on the land. Have a varied range of vocational skills. Worked in many industries, building, electrical to tutoring, education and infotech. Committed to my Marae, Hapū and Iwi.
Sonny Karena
Trustee
Iwi affiliation: Ko Ngaati Maniapoto me Ngapuhi hoki au. I moe au ki taku hoa wahine whaa tekau maa iwa tau ki muri o Ngaati Werewere ara ko Te Raumako teenaa
Sonny Karena has been a staunch supporter and kaikoorero of and for the Tumuaki o te Kiingitanga for approx. 36 years. Having travelled extensively with the kaumatua of Ngaati Hauaa spanning three generations of the Tumuakitanga. When time able, Sonny’s governance experience being part of the marae komiti and trustees at Rukumoana marae for over 30 years. Governance training from a grass-roots perspective.
Sonny currently works at Te Whare Taonga o Waikato but still manages his commitments to the tribe.
Tennille Wharewaka
Trustee
Iwi affiliation: Ngaati Hauaa
Tennille serves as a Trustee of the Ngaati Hauaa Tribal Trust and as the elected alternate representative for Waimakariri Marae on Te Whakakitenga o Waikato. Tennille is committed to upholding the mana and aspirations of Ngaati Hauaa whaanau, and strengthening the voice of Waimakariri Marae within tribal decision-making and the pursuit of mana motuhake.
Endine Dixon-Harris
General Manager
Iwi affiliation: Ngaati Hauaa, Waikato, Ngaa Puhi, Ngaati Whakaue
Endine became GM for the Ngaati Hauaa Tribal Trust (NHTT) as at 1 March 2025 after deciding not to stand as the Rukumoana Marae representative for the NHTT in which she was a member since 2008. Endine has experience and knowledge in both management and governance and holds governance roles in tribal, education and health. Endine was recently elected as the Tai Raro Maaori Ward Councillor for the Waikato District Council.