Jason Harrison
Kia ora e te whanau
Ko Aoraki te maunga
Ko Waitaki te awa
Ko Waitaha, Ngati Mamoe me Ngai Tahu nga iwi
Tirohia hoki ki te rohe o Rongomaiwahine
Tu te maunga Puharareke
Rere ana te awa o Kaiwaitau ki te Moana nui a Kiwa
Te mana o Rongomaiwahine me Ngati Kahungunu
Tu pakari, tu rangatira e
Ko au tenei –tihei mauriora.
I live in Bluff, New Zealand with my wife and three beautiful children. I was born and raised in Invercargill. My fondest childhood memories were the annual trips to Port Levy and to Mahia to visit the whanau.
My background consists mainly with Sports. I achieved National and regional level Rugby and Softball status at a young age and this continued into my late 20s. I attended the Otago Sports Institute in 1997-1999 and am still involved with coaching and mentoring through sports.
Currently, I am Projects Coordinator for Te Runaka o Awarua. My main role is to assist our Marae and Runaka subsidiaries with their strategy, planning, establishment and development of their initiatives. I am fortunate to be based on Te Rau Aroha Marae which I enjoy and am committed to. Prior to this I was the Manager of the Stronger Communities Action Fund which was a National Pilot to strengthen community capabilities and capacity to be a sustainable community – this pilot was a huge success for our community.
My greatest personal enjoyment is travelling to Poutama annually to harvest Titi (Sooty Shearwater) with whanau. I enjoy learning from my elders and teaching my children the custom, practices and importance of taking care of the Island for future sustainability – and I love eating Titi.
I am extremely privileged to be sponsored by Awarua to participate in FNFP. I had the benefit of meeting the Directors, some of the past fellows and seeing the gratitude they all have for FNFP. I am looking forward to this next journey of my life.
Ka‘iulani Kauihou
Aloha mai kākou. ‘O wau ‘o Danielle Ka‘iulani Kauihou. ‘O Dalani Tanahy ka makuahine. ‘O Kimo Kauihou ka makuakāne. No Mākaha mai mākou.
Ka‘iulani is a 1998 graduate of the Kamehameha Schools. While there, she became fascinated with the beauty of her Hawaiian culture and language. This paved the course for her college years at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, leading her to attain a Bachelor of Science degree in Hawaiian Language and a Master’s of Education in Teaching degree shortly after.
Alongside her formal education, Ka‘iulani was also fortunate to be taught about her culture by means of her parents’ interest in various Hawaiian activities as well. Kimo and Dalani are both expert waterpeople, and Ka‘iulani participated with them in canoe paddling and surfing events. Both parents were also students of Lua, Hawaiian martial arts, and have been trained in Hawaiian weapon making. Ka‘iulani learned Kapa from her mother, who is one of only a handful of professional kapa makers.
For five years, Ka‘iulani taught Hawaiian Language Immersion at Ke Kula Kaiapuni ‘o Nānākuli to support the effort to revive the Hawaiian Language. Currently, she works as a Hawaiian Language Curriculum Developer for Ka‘ala Farms, Inc. and Ma‘ili Elementary School. Ka‘iulani also spends part of her time teaching GED classes in Lualualei to many part-Hawaiian students who, for whatever reason, have left Nānākuli and Wai‘anae High Schools and seek to move forward with their lives in an alternative way.
It is Ka‘iulani’s belief that teaching is one of the greatest responsibilities a person can have. She hopes to ignite and support programs that promote education in our communities. She would like to have a hand in creating programs that help parents teach their children values at home, help schools teach students how to learn and not what to learn, and teach communities how to take responsibility of their natural resources and use them to sustain the people living there, among others.
Ka‘iulani is grateful for the many opportunities that she has been blessed with and looks forward to a future of promise and positive change.
Jody Lehua Kaulukukui
Jody was raised in Kailua, O‘ahu, and is a descendant of Hawaiian, Chinese, and German ancestors. While growing up in Hawai‘i, Jody attended the Kamehameha Schools, graduating in 1989. Thereafter, she completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Oregon with a degree in Journalism. She received her Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) from the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawai‘i in 1998.
Upon completion of law school, Jody worked as an associate at the law firms of Ashford & Wriston, LLP, and Pitluck Kido Stone & Aipa. Her law practice focused on litigation, quiet title and partition matters, title insurance issues, and kuleana ownership.
She now works for The Nature Conservancy (TNC) as the Senior Land Protection Specialist, where her work focuses on strategic planning and negotiation of real estate transactions, including all acquisitions and conservation easements of TNC in Hawai‘i. Current protection projects for TNC include identification and prioritization of coastal and dry forest properties across the state.
She also serves as a Commissioner on the Clean Water and Natural Lands Commission for the City and County of Honolulu, and is an adjunct Professor at the University of Hawai‘i William S. Richardson School of Law teaching Conservation Transactions.
She and her husband, Ryan Holt, live in Kailua, where they are raising their five boys. They are expecting their sixth child in February 2010.
Haimona Maruera
“Te Maunga tītōhea ko Taranaki
Te Awa kanapanapa ko Patea
Te Iwi koingo ko Ruanui
Te Marae tāngaengae ko Pariroa
Te Waka tapu ko Aotea Utanganui”
Haimona is a devoted husband with 4 children living in Ashhurst, New Zealand. His tribal affiliation is to Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Te Ati-Haunui-ā-paparangi. His skills also excel in Ngā Mahi-a-Tānerore (Performing Arts), Te Reo Māori me Ōna Tīkanga (Language and Protocols) and Ngā Tāonga-a-Tūmatauenga (Traditional Weaponry).
Haimona Maruera is a Regional Manager with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. He holds a (DipTech) “Te Tohu Pōkairua Kura Kaupapa Māori and (BEd(AdultEd)), currently completing MA(MāoriStud). In this role Haimona manages all aspects of his regional staff and office, including academic, operational and most importantly the preservation of Ngā Āhuatanga Māori (Cultural Values) and Iwitanga (tribal being).
Passionate about building tribal needs in Education, Language, Culture and Genealogy. Ko tāku iho matua ko tōku Whānau, ko tōku Iwi, ko tāku oranga. Haimona contributes strongly to his Iwi as he is a 3rd term trustee board member, supports local Community Re-building initiatives and leads Youth / Rangatahi aspiration kaupapa.
Kanakolu Noa
Kapohauolaokalanikiakia Kamo‘opunakanakolu Noa comes from Hana, Maui ‘Ohana has always been a fundamental part of her life and has provided Kanakolu with a beautifully nurturing foundation. Kanakolu stands firmly with her ‘ohana and remains committed to her people and culture. In her mind, the strands which bind family, nature, and cultural traditions are transparent and compliment one another. She was raised and spent much of her childhood growing up in Hana. Her parents and 8 siblings later transplanted to Kuli‘ou‘ou, O‘ahu to be with extended ‘ohana.
Through educational pursuits and passion, she has been given the opportunity to study, work, and live overseas. She studied Philosophy and Theology while living in Florence Italy, relocated to Aotearoa for her Masters degree and soon after moved to Chile to research and travel through South America. The experience of living with various Indigenous Peoples of the world validates the work of our people and the existence of a living culture. She quickly recognized that the struggles in various international communities are similar to the struggles of her people.
Educational Background: Saint Francis School (2000); Bachelor’s degree in Education and Psychology, Gonzaga University; Masters Degree of Indigenous Studies, Te Tumu, University of Otago, Dunedin, Aotearoa; To pursue JD in International Law and Human Rights (2010) in relation to Indigenous Peoples.
Community involvement: Kupu A‘e Food Sovereignty Youth Leadership program, Founder, Maui: Third Path, a native woman’s empowerment group; Lawful Hawaiian Government; Pu‘ukohola with Na Hanona Kulike o Pi‘ilani.
Professional work included: Teaching positions at Saint Patrick School in Kaimuki; Tamarack Center in Spokane Washington; EBD program of Lake Washington School District in Kirkland Washington; research and writer for Te Kahui Atawhai o Te Motu of Aotearoa; Professional Development officer of Halau Wanana/KALO of Waimea, Hawai‘i; and outreach counselor at Lahainaluna High School.
Te Kowhai Ohia
Korōria ki te Matua i runga rawa, he maungarongo ki runga i te whenua, he whakaaro pai ki ngā tāngata katoa.
I te taha o tōku pāpā ko Ngaiterangi, Ngāti Pukenga me Te Arawa ngā iwi, ā i te taha o tōku māmā ko Te Ati Awa te iwi.
Tēnā rā koutou katoa.
Te Kowhai grew up in the small coastal town of Waikawa at the top of the South Island of Aotearoa (New Zealand) amongst her mother’s Te Ati Awa people. She was born into a family who shared a passion for education with both parents and a grandmother all being teachers so it is not surprising that her career thus far has largely been focused in this area. Te Kowhai has a diploma in teaching, a bachelor of education and is currently working towards completing her masters of education with the University of Waikato. Te Kowhai also shares a passion for te reo Māori (Māori language) with her three brothers and strives to develop her proficiency in this, her second language.
Te Kowhai has the pleasure of being part of a loving and caring whānau (family) that aspires to serve people in all that they do, whether it is in their professional roles, on the marae or in their homes. Spirituality has also been an integral part of her upbringing with both parents being actively involved in the Rātana church and later as Māori Christians.
Te Kowhai and her three brothers were raised in a musical household and it is from this her love of music was ignited.
Te Kowhai started her professional career as a school teacher in a bilingual unit where both te reo Māori (Māori language) and English were the languages of instruction. Having the privilege to work with school children and their families who faced daily challenges that she could not even begin to comprehend caused Te Kowhai to realise that access to appropriate and relevant education for many families in Aotearoa was limited; from this, a passion for increasing access to quality education was born.
Te Kowhai’s current position is Pou Marautanga (curriculum leader) at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, based in the small humble town of Te Awamutu in the Waikato region. She supports a group of staff responsible for ensuring that the tertiary-level programmes delivered by Te Wānanga o Aotearoa are current, relevant and most importantly focused on increasing access to and advancing mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge, thinking and being). She thoroughly enjoys the people and work that she engages with and hopes that her tiny contribution to increasing access to quality education can support whānau transformation throughout Aotearoa and the world.
Charisma Rangipunga
Ka topa atu rā taku manu ki runga Aoraki Matatū
Tākina atu rā taku pōwhiri, taku rau tāwhiri ki ngā aromaunga o te motu
E aku whakateitei ki ngā whenua, aku whakatamarahi ki te rangi kai te mihi, kai te mihi
Ka titiro atu au ki Ohiriri, ki Wairewa
Tangitā taku pane ki uta, nei taku urunga
Ko aku waewae ki tai, nei taku tūranga
Ko Makō, Ko Irakehu ngā tīpuna
Tīhei Mauri Ora.
I affiliate to Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Taranaki and Ngāti Kahungunu. Although born in New Zealand, I spent most of my childhood being raised in Australia which I believe fostered a strong desire within me to learn about my Māori heritage. Returning to Aotearoa when I was 11 was a stimulus for this learning to begin.
I have been involved with my iwi organization, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, for about 12 years now and initially worked part time in the organisation as part of a youth team involved in getting other youth actively engaged with the iwi and building up their pride as Kāi Tahu. This eventually led into a full time role within the language revitalisation team which I later went on to manage.
Since the birth of my tamariki I have been a passionate believer in the theory that ‘if it happens at home and is normalised at that level, it will survive’ especially in relation to our language. I have raised my 3 boys with te reo Māori as their first language and am lucky enough to have a tāne/partner and mum close by who support me in all of my various endeavours.
A brief stint away from the tribe was spent establishing a joint venture company, Ake Associates Limited. Its core business is to promote and enhance our cultural revitalisation activities.
I am also a published author of children’s books in Māori Language, which I have an absolute passion for and have also put my hand to composition of poetry and ‘waiata’ as part of the overall aim of re-stimulating the use and knowledge of traditional and modern waiata or songs at my marae of Wairewa, and within the wider tribal populace.
I am currently the Manager of Toitū te Kura – a team within our iwi structure which oversees and drives the implementation of our language and cultural revitalisation strategies. I am passionate about the revitalisation of our language and culture amongst our tribal members as a pathway to succeeding in all facets of society.
I am honoured to have been given this opportunity by my iwi and hope to use the knowledge and information gained through this experience to help achieve the long term vision of revitalisation of our Kāi Tahutaka.
Darryn Ratana
Teenaa koutou ngaa whaanau o Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi
Ki au nei ko te take matua moo Ngaa Rauru – maana oona taangata, oona hapuu, oona marae hei tauwhiro kia pai ai oo raatou noho ki teenei ao hurihuri. He mokopuna noa teenei e ngana ana ki te haapai i ngaa wawata a tooku marae, a toku Iwi.
Ki ooku whakaaro, “Waiho oku ringaringa hei ringa raupa moo toku Iwi. Hei aha raa ooku ake whakaaro me hoomai e Ngaa Rauru he oranga. Engari kee me peewhea raa taku torotoro ki toku Iwi hei haapai i a ia? Inana te koke koorero, “Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi” Koia teera e tohutohu ana mai ki au, he mana too ooku kupu – whakatangatatia kia puaawai ai ngaa tumanakotanga o te Iwi.
I have worked in Maori Kaupapa for 25 years because I have a passion and commitment for the revitalisation of Te Ao Maori. My first role was in the Te Kohanga Reo movement, then developing Maori Boarding Schools, building Marae infrastructure and now I’m in the Ministry of Education where I assess, strategise and develop business plans to enhance the future development of tamariki.
As the Chairman of Taranaki/Whanganui Department of Conservation Board I have developed strong leadership skills to facilitate a wide range of people and interests focusing on the common kaupapa.
I have served TKOR in a financial capacity since 2003 where I’m now performing as the chair of the Investment and Finance Committee (IFC). Recently I was elected Tumu Whakarae (Chairperson) of Te Kaahui o Rauru and am enjoying the challenge and work involved in working for and with our people.
I have strong work ethics attained from the values my Kui and Koroua gave to me; namely, to be honest, hard working and act with integrity at all times.
Charles E.K. Robinson
My wife, Malia, and I reside in Kula, Maui where we raise three daughters and a son. Our two oldest daughters, Kahiwaonālani and Ku‘uleimoanike`ala, (15 and 13 years old respectively) have been schooled in the medium of Hawaiian language since preschool. Their brother, Kamana‘opono, four years old, continues in the tradition now in his second year at Pūnana Leo o Maui. Our youngest, Heather Kamakaokalā, two years old, is anxiously waiting to join her brother.
Recent projects include developing infrastructure and programs to support culturally based educational learning opportunities for at risk youth and families, facilitating small business leadership classes in business planning and procurement of protected coastal wetlands through a proposal with the National Trust for Protected Lands. Current Board positions include Hope Pelekikena of Nā Leo Kāko‘o, the parent support group for Pūnana Leo o Maui, and President for the Master Gardeners Advisory Board, a support group for the University of Hawai‘i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. Past work within the non-profit, for profit, entrepreneurial and academic fields include Executive positions such as General Manager and Chief Financial Officer, US Bankruptcy Court Trustee Appointee, Manager of Senior & Family Housing Complexes, Licensed US Coast Guard Captain, Tax Preparer, Residential Realty and Appraisal, Master Gardener, Orthopedic and Principle Massage Therapist and 3 years undergraduate work in Business Administration.
My eldest daughter Nalani asked, “Why do we keep buying buses when we should be saving to invest in cleaner, sustainable alternatives?” I believe that community leaders from all sectors of Hawai‘i have a significant opportunity if not to rally all of our people together then to develop our future leaders. Our island community faces many significant threats: our over dependence on imported oil and foods and our addiction to our current unsustainable life style. We have the people and resources within our communities to commence and implement comprehensive change in order to elevate our existing approach to perishable food supplies and clean, renewable and affordable energy sources. What’s at stake? I prefer to be pleased and unashamed of the outcomes we pass on to our youngest stakeholders. I am motivated to seek and promote discourse and engage in those discussions that will help to create, foster and develop the associations, partnerships, interest and values that are vital to more closely examine the current feasibility and implementation of such enterprises. I am greatly appreciative, honored and look forward to meeting & working with all involved with this fellowship.
Hiria Tamarapa
Ko Taranaki te maunga
Ko Waitootara te awa,
Ko Aotea te waka,
Ko Turi te Tangata
Ko Pakarata te marae,
Ko Ngaati Maiki te hapuu,
Ko Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi te Iwi
Teena koutou katoa, my name is Hiria Tamarapa and I am of Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi and Ngati Ruanui descent. I have the honor and privilege of being selected to participate in the First Nations Fellowship Programme 2009. The relationship between Te Kaahui o Rauru and Ngai Tahu has made this possible.
Te Kaahui o Rauru is the post settlement governance entity of the Iwi, Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi of South Taranaki. In 2004, I commenced work for Te Kaahui o Rauru as a junior staff member and through the excellent workforce development programme and mentoring from the management team over the last 5 years; this has led to a promotion to a management role. Professional Development sees me studying part time toward a Business Management degree.
Te Kaahui o Rauru has a progressive overarching goal to “Revitalize Ngaa Rauru Kiitahitanga”. For some time now I have been committed to the development aspirations of marae and hapuu within Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi. The opportunity to participate in the First Nations’ Futures Programme will allow me to have exposure to international, indigenous networks and development initiatives thereby broadening my perspective and making a positive contribution as an uri of Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi. The principle of reciprocity has been instilled in me through the mentoring of key pahake and the expectation that their support is contingent on contributing back to our tribal collectives.
Additional to working fulltime and being a mum, I care for children and young adults with intellectual disabilities. I offer them a stable environment where I can assist them to develop their social skills which will aide them in gaining independence to be integrated back into the community with little to no support.
Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi had the privilege of hosting the fellows from the 2008 programme in February this year. The relationship building, the passion to improve the indigenous culture and quality of leadership skills that the fellows brought to Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi gives me even more inspiration to partake.
In closing, firstly I acknowledge Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi Iwi for giving me the opportunity to participate. Finally, I must acknowledge the love and encouragement of my partner Whetu together with our children and the unconditional support of my parents, whom amongst each other will ensure that my children are tended to and the home fires keep burning whilst I am away. Without them, my participation in this programme would remain a dream.
Carla Te Anga
He uri ahau nō Tainui waka
Ko Taupiri te maunga
Ko Waikato te awa
Ko Waikato te iwi
Ko Ngāti Māhuta te hapu
Ko Tūrangawaewae te marae
Tēnā Koutou Katoa
I was born in Hamilton and after a lifetime of living in different towns and cities in New Zealand and overseas, I have now come full circle and reside in Hamilton once again. I have nomadic tendencies and being at one company or even living in one town or city for more than two years is a major achievement for me. Therefore, I’m pleased to say that I’ve been working for Te Wānanga o Aotearoa (TWoA) for over six years and it has become a lifestyle, so much more to it than just a job. I have worked in several other industries including education, hospitality and telecommunications but no other position has given me the reward and job satisfaction as working at TWoA does.
I was educated at St Joseph’s Māori Girls College, Waiariki Polytechnic (Diploma in Hotel Studies) and in my adult years I gained a BSocSc and I’m currently enrolled on MSocSc (Anthropology) at the University of Waikato.
I need to acknowledge my mum who lives with my daughter and me. Without her I couldn’t do the work I do or live the life that I have at the moment and her words of wisdom both ground and bring me back to reality at the times I need them most. My daughter, Tariao (11 years old) and my mum are my inspiration and their successes are my successes. Tariao is named after a star in the Milky Way, but her name also has significant meaning to our people and the Kīngitanga movement.
Kotahi te kohao o te ngira e kuhuna ai te miro mā, te miro pango, te miro whero.
I muri kia mau ki te aroha, ki te ture, ki te whakapono.
Through the one eye of the needle pass the white threads, black threads and the red threads.
Afterwards, hold firmly to your love, to the law and to the faith.
Nā Potatau Te Wherowhero
Kelley Lehuakeaopuna Uyeoka
Welina mai, ‘o Kelley Lehuakeaopuna ko‘u inoa. I was born and raised in the ahupua‘a of Kailua, and I trace my ‘ohana lineage to the ‘āina of Puna and Kohala, Hawai‘i Island and Kīpahulu and Haneo‘o, Maui. My love for the ‘āina and my passion for taking care of our wahi pana and wahi kapu has lead me to the field of cultural resource management and archaeology.
I received my B.A. in Cultural Anthropology and Pacific Island Studies from UH Hilo, and I’m currently attending UH Mānoa, and will receive a Masters in Applied Archaeology and a Graduate Certificate in Historic Preservation this semester! While I recognize the importance of learning at academic institutions, I strongly believe, ‘A‘ole pau ka ‘ike i ka hālau ho‘okahi, not all knowledge is learned in one school, and this is why I am honored and excited to participate in this fellowship.
I currently hold a number of part time jobs including interning at Kamehameha Schools’ Land Assets Division (Cultural Assets department), conducting cultural impact assessments and archaeological projects for Cultural Survey’s Hawai‘i, and working as a private consultant on a traditional cultural properties study for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
The FNFP is especially relevant to me because my tāne is from Aotearoa and our future consists of traveling between both homelands. From the many wonderful times I have spent with our cousins down south, I know the connections between Maoli and Maori are pa‘a and that through our collaborations and shared experiences, we can support one another in our unique yet similar endeavors as tangata whenua.
Kanoe Alexis Suganuma Wilson
He kama wau o ka ‘āina no ka ‘āina ho‘opulapula ‘o Keaukaha, ‘o ia ku‘u one hānau a me ko ka‘u ‘ohana kekahi. He mamo wau o na ‘ohana ‘o Kawahinekoa, Ka‘anā‘anā, Kekūhaupi‘o, a me Keawekekahiali‘iokamoku.
Aia ko‘u piko ma ka piko o Wakea, ‘o ia nō ‘o Mauna a Wakea. Aia ko‘u ‘iewe ma ka wai ola o Kane, ‘o ia nō o Wailoa. He ‘oiwi wau ma kēia ‘āina nei.
‘O wau ka hiapo o ko‘u ‘ohana. ‘O Nathan lāua ‘o Tommie ko‘u mau makua. He wahine wau a male wau i ka‘u lei aloha ‘o Charlies Kaimi‘ola Wilson no ‘umi makahiki. ‘Ekolu a maua keiki i hānai ‘ia, ‘o Kalaninui he kaikamahine (7), ‘O Lono he keikikane (5), a me Palikapu he pēpē (1).
Aloha mai kākou!
Currently, I am the Program Coordinator at Kipuka Native Hawaiian Student Center at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. My love and passion is to help our young Hawaiians come to college and be successful in their lives.
I graduated with my BA degree in Hawaiian Studies from Kamakakūokalani, Center for Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. I received a M.Ed. from Chaminade University and currently am working on a second master’s degree in Hawaiian Studies. I am interested in pursuing my doctorate degree in Education, where I hope to one day become a Vice Chancellor or Chancellor of a University.
My interests in higher education deal with Hawaiian indigenous world views, its incorporation into Western institutions and the affects it has on the students and faculty. I am also very interested in leadership development, developing a Pacific leadership institute and cultivating leaders for the future.
I am very much honored to be a part of the First Nations’ program and look forward to this opportunity.