Abraham Witana 

Abe is the Deputy Chairman for Waipuna  marae in Pānguru and represents Waipuna whānau and hapū as the elected Marae delegate to Te Rūnanga O Te Rarawa.

He is the Te Rarawa Iwi representative on Te Ahu Trust and Deputy Chairman of Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa.

Abraham has a military background from serving in the Royal New Zealand Navy. He holds a Bachelor degree in Iwi Environmental Management and Trusteeship.

Abe also has qualifications in ethical research, project management, performance management and review and holds a Level 4 certificate in Coordinated Incident Management Systems.

Abe's vision is to “Ensure every Te Rarawa whanau member is provided with all opportunities for them to succeed”.

Antionetta Tecklenburg

Ko Sam Tecklenburg taku ingoa and I hail from the the centre of the universe, Pawarenga. On my mother's side of the whanau I am a Rudolph from Pupuke and we are linked to Pawarenga through our Waipouri, Hunia, Maihi whakapapa and on my father's side, I have Dutch ancestry.  I became involved in the Runanga as a mother with young children living in Auckland and wanting to have a greater connection to  "home".  Back in the day when Malcolm Peri, Ted Ratana and Co. were organizing the Taura Here and along with Pa Tate, running Dynamics of Whanaungatanga hui right across the country.   Occupations were happening all around the motu, Te Kawariki was out there "sticking it to the man" and the Waitangi Action Group were educating people about the realities of colonisation and the differences between Te Tiriti and the Treaty.  I was both exhilarated and horrified by women like Titiwhai Harawira,  Nadia Glavish and Eva Rickard.  Exhilarated because here were these amazing, articulate, strong, feisty Maori women standing up for all of us and horrified when I found out that I couldn't just admire them from the sidelines, I had to get involved in the  game if I wanted a better future for my children and mokopuna.  I am well and truly over my horror now.

I moved home nearly 20 years ago to raise my youngest 3 children close to their grandparents and was involved with Te Runanga o Te Rarawa as part of the development of their Rural Housing Programme.  From there I was the support person for my aunt who was the Ohaki delegate and then became the delegate myself when she stepped down.  My passion and motivation is about being part of creating a future that is Maoricentric for my mokopuna.  I often hear people talk about mainstream and I am delighted to say that for my mokopuna, that is about being Maori and not about struggling in an English medium environment.  My mokopuna are Te Reo learners attending Kura Kaupapa, they attend hui not meetings, know their marae, maunga, awa and moana personally and are actively involved in the preservation and recognition of these taonga.   The skill I bring to my position on the board of Te Rarawa Anga Mua is to always be looking for win-win situations but not being afraid to challenge when things are not right.  to have at the forefront of my thinking that I am a servant of the people and that there needs to be returns and benefits to those people not just me warming a seat on a board.  I bring my love for my little centre of the universe and a great desire for all the peoples of Te Rarawa to enjoy, appreciate and participate in their own centres of the universe.  I am persistent, resolute and enquiring and I am also grateful for the opportunity to serve.

Richard Murray

Richard has been the Marae Delegate and Trustee to Te Runanga o Te Rarawa for over 18 yrs. He has been extensively involved with the Runanga advocating on behalf of his Hapu o Ngati Haua.

He has worked towards Ngati Haua Wai 696 claim lodged and taken before the crown by Te Rarawa.

Richard is dedicated to representing his Hapu on various issues that impact on them. He regularly communicates with his Whanau and Hapu regarding the affairs of the Runanga and also contributes towards addressing issues that impact on his Hapu.

His is also an active kai mahi on the Marae from ringa wera to kai korero. Richard prepares reports and presentations for Ngati Haua and has also worked on providing submissions on behalf of Whanau and the Hapu.

He considers his experience over these years to help qualify him towards continuing to  be an effective representative for Te Kotahitanga Marae and Te Hapu o Ngati Haua.

Peter Thomas 

Peter was raised in Moerewa and Pānguru. Te Waiariki, Ngātimanawa, Te Uri o te Aho and Te Waekoi are his Te Rarawa hapū.

Peter has extensive governance experience. He was chair of the Auckland Regional Leadership Group on whānauora, Co-Chair of Te Ora o Manukau improving the future urban environment for Māori communities, Māori caucus lead of the Public Health Association of New Zealand, a trustee of the New Zealand AIDS Foundation and previous chair  for INA (Māori, Indigenous & South Pacific) HIV/AIDS Foundation.

Peter has held several executive Māori roles and worked in both government and non-government organisations. His background is in the health and social sector and Māori development. He has professional interests in housing, public policy, social justice, libraries, anthropology and oral histories.

A leader, promoter, broker and influencer in Māori development Peter continues to serve his people.

Joanne Murray

E papaki kau ana te tai o Whangape ki raro iho i te maunga tapu o Whakakoro - tū tonu, tū tonu, te Maunga Moana.             

Ka titiro atu ra ki te awa tapu o Awaroa, rere ki uta, rere ki tai!

Ka huri au ki te marae o Te Kotahitanga, te whare i whakaruruhau i a mātou, te hapu o Ngati Haua - tū tonu, tū tonu te whare tupuna.  

Ka titiro atu au ki te maunga tapu o Rangiputa - tū tonu, tū tonu te Maunga Whenua

Ki raro iho nei, e tū ana te Papakainga o Torikiriki - te kainga pūmau o mātou ngā Whānau Murray ki Whangape.

He uri tēnei o Tarutaru rāua ko Ruapounamu: Te Rarawa Kaiwhare

He uri anō tēnei o Hineamaru: Ngati Hine

The fifth child and eldest daughter of  Te Ruki Murray, (known as Jerry from Ngati Haua, Whangape) & Hurike (known as Julie or Sullianne to her Hart & Hoterene whānau from Te Orewai, Pipiwai)

Has worked in the education sector for over 24 years, including with Kohanga Reo (ECE), Kura Teina (Jnr School), Wharekura (Secondary) as a Kaiako (Teacher), Tumuaki (Principal) & MoE contractor & facilitator.

Jo is currently, self employed as an Independent Education Contractor now involved with regional and national kaupapa Māori Taiao (environmental) & Pūtaiao (Science) focused support, training & resource development with Te Aho Tū Roa & Toimata Foundation.  She continues to work a in seamless education ‘from the cradle to the grave’ relationships and partnerships with kohanga, kura, wharekura, rangatahi, kaiako, kaumatua / kuia, iwi, hāpu, marae and many other learning communities – focused on “connecting people to people and people to place”.