A Personal Statement from Mike Te Wake
Incoming Chair of Te Rarawa.
“Ka kai Te Rarawa ki tōna ake kai, ka ora. Ka kōrero Te Rarawa ki tōna ake reo, ka ora. Ka noho Te Rarawa ki tōna ake whenua, ka ora. “
If Te Rarawa eats their own food, they will live. If Te Rarawa speaks their own language, they will flourish. If Te Rarawa live on their own lands, they will heal”
These words shared by Te Rarawa tūpuna kuia, Kahurangi Whina Cooper, are as relevant today as they ever were.
I step into the role of Chair of Te Rarawa with a full heart and a deep sense of responsibility.
I am humbled by the trust our people have placed in me. This role is not something I take lightly, it carries the weight of our whakapapa, our history, and the hopes we hold for our future. I accept this position knowing that it is, first and foremost, an opportunity to serve.
I was raised to know that being an uri of Te Rarawa means you have a responsibility to look after our people, to uphold our tikanga, and to ensure that what we do today strengthens the path for those who follow. Those values will guide every decision I make in this role.
To our whānau, hapū, and uri of Te Rarawa, my commitment to you is this: I will listen. I will uphold the tikanga of Te Rarawa. Our collective wellbeing will remain my priority.
We have strong foundations because of the leadership that has come before us. I acknowledge those who have carried this responsibility in the past; your work has not gone unnoticed, and I will continue to build on it with respect.
I would like to mihi to my whanaunga who also put themselves forward for this role, and to our outgoing chair Aunty Katie I would like to acknowledge your service and dedication to our iwi.
As we look forward, I believe our success lies in our collective strength. There is much to do, and I am committed to working alongside our people to create opportunities, protect what matters most to us, and ensure our mokopuna inherit an iwi that is strong, connected, and thriving.
Ka hoki anō ahau ki ngā kōrero a Kahurangi Whina, prosperity and wellbeing are within ourselves. This is our journey, together.
Ngā mihi aroha ki a koutou katoa
Mike Te Wake
Chairman of Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa