About Us
He piko whakaohooho | Finding inspiration at every turn
Te Kōrero | Our Story
Waioweka awa is a tīpuna awa where many traditional practices took (and take) place. Iriiri for hāhi Ringatū continues in the awa. It is a place where tuna, trout, ika, and whitebait inhabit. It is also a place where Ngāti Ira bathe and connect. There are many pā sites throughout the rohe, on the whenua and in ngahere.
Our histories speak of the arrival of the tipuna, Tamatea Mātangi. He arrived on our shores aboard the waka Tuwhenua. He travelled the length of the awa along with the karoro, who as the kaitiaki manu guided him on his journey. The awa was traditionally known as "Te awa o Tamatea", and now in these contemporary times, it is more popularly known as the Waioweka awa.
As the world witnesses the decline in the health of many areas of the taiao, we too are seeing our wai, awa, and whenua being met with health challenges. Due to climate change, our taiao will experience hotter days for longer, increased risk of drought, increased risk of flooding from severe rainfall events, and other challenges. Ngāti Ira hapū takes its kaitakitanga responsibilities very seriously as we are uri of the whenua and the wai. It is through this whakapapa that we are given the mana to protect the mauri of the whenua and wai, and speak for the orangatonutanga (continued and ongoing health and wellbeing) of this precious taonga.
Te Whānau Kaimahi Roopū | Our Family
Ngā Tarahitī | Our Trustees
The Kaimahi Whenua o Ngāti Ira Trust is governed by five passionate trustees. Each trustee have whakapapa to Ngāti Ira. The current trustees are set out below.
Noi Elmiger
Chair, Trustee
Mary Kingi
Trustee
Tracy Gilmer
Trustee
Ngarangi Walker
Trustee
Janell Dymus-Kurei
Trustee
Te Tīma Kaimahi | Operations Team
While the wider whānau/hapū of Ngāti Ira put their hands together to look after the whenua and the wai (see photo above our trustees of some of the whānau), the Trust is supported by a small team of Kaitiaki Taiao to effect some of its goals and objectives. We introduce the team below.
Tawa Kingi
Kaitiaki Coordinator
Charmaine Gage
Finance Coordinator
Hape Tai
Kaimahi Taiao
Riiki Kurei
Kaimahi Taiao
Stanley Haare
Kaimahi Taiao
Te Matawhānui | Our Vision
Kia pupuri te mana motuhake o te riu o Tamatea.
Kia ora ai te mauri me te manawa o Ngāti Ira whenua, awa, tangata, kāinga.
To preserve the autonomy of Tamatea’s journey.
To put vigour into the life force and the heart of our land, river, people and home.
Ngā Uara | Our Values
Our values are woven through the things we say and the actions we take
Oranga
The holistic concept of health and wellbeing for a thriving life and community.
Manaakitanga
Providing hospitality to all, regardless of whom and where from.
Aroha
The deep sense of love, compassion, empathy, and connectedness.
Whakapapa
Our creation story that ties us together as family to each other and our taiao.
Mana Motuhake
The power we possess to shape our own futures.
Rangatiratanga
The intrinsic right to command authority over our own selves.
Whakapono
The basis of our beliefs that guide us to do right.
Tuakiritanga
The inherent identity we possess as Ngāti Ira.
Kaitiakitanga
The protection we give and receive from our taiao.
Ngā Wawata | Our Aspirations
We are committed to our taiao, guided by the dreams and aspirations of our mātua, tīpuna.
Mana Motuhake
We honour the mana motuhake and rangatiratanga of Ngāti Ira as the kaitiaki (guardians) of the taiao (environment) over their ancestral lands.
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Mana Taiao
We are committed to safeguarding and preserving the taiao, the wai (waterways), and the whenua tipu (ancestral lands) to ensure that the taiao experiences orangatonutanga, thriving and flourishing continuously.
Mana Tangata
We empower ourselves, our families, hapū, iwi, and communities to grow and adapt, fostering resilience against the effects of climate change while embracing conservation-focused lifestyles that promote thriving and prosperity.
Mana Tikanga
Ngāti Ira is acknowledged for their physical and spiritual ties to their ancestral lands, waterways, and traditions. Cultural sites, areas, and landscapes to Ngāti Ira are recognized and safeguarded.
Te Tohu | Our Logo
This logo symbolises the work of regrowth, revitalisation, and the transmission of knowledge. It reflects Ngā Kaimahi Whenua’s role in restoring whenua, forests, and mātauranga Māori while ensuring the sustainability of resources for future generations. The kererū is a reminder that with proper stewardship, Ngāti Ira will continue to flourish, just as the native forests do when the kererū thrives, and as the Waioweka Awa continues to sustain its people.
Ngā Hoa me ngā Pūtea Kaitautoko | Our Partners & Funders
Ngā Pūkenga Kaitautoko | Our Specialist Partners
Ira Vision
Videos and images on this site are brought to us by Ira Vision Media.
Photography by Mic
Our Trustees and Operations Team photos are brought to us by Michaela Insley.
Te Uira Photography
Images on this site are brought to us by Te Uira Photography.