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Rongowhakaata

Iwi Organisation

Gisborne iwi. Treaty settlement in 2012. Tairāwhiti Museum (Tairawhiti) cultural redress.

Iwi Details

Rohe (Region)
Tairāwhiti (Gisborne)

Treaty Settlement

Settlement information not yet available for this iwi.

Distributions to Beneficiaries

$140K
Marae
$140K

Total distributions included $140k from cyclone recovery funding to support Manutuke Civil Defence Group and restorative work at Maungarongo. Trust administered Pukenga Wai grant on behalf of Marae, with each marae receiving $18k to support participation in water services reform programme, in addition to annual marae disbursement grants.

Current Officers

17
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R
Romia Whaanga
Chair, Kāhui Kaumātua
K
Katrina Thompson
Committee Member, Appointment & Remuneration
J
Jo Pleydell
Committee Member, Appointment & Remuneration
T
Tiria Waitai
Committee Member, Audit, Risk & Finance
H
Hikurangi Mills
Committee Member, Audit, Risk & Finance
T
Tia Greenaway
Committee Member, Audit, Risk & Finance
M
Moera Brown
Deputy Chair
T
Tama Waipara
Deputy Chair
P
Puka Moeau
Director
K
Kleat Nepe
Director
M
Maru Samuels
Director

+ 5 more officers

Service Providers

Consultants(5)
Manaaki Whenua

environmental management / ecological restoration

2024
Massey University

cultural knowledge research and preservation

2024
Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision

cultural digitisation

2024
NIWA

environmental / scientific research

2024
Te Ohu Kaimoana

fisheries management

2024
Other(2)
Gisborne District Council (GDC)

environmental projects and asset management collaboration

2024
TROTAK

community engagement

2024
Partners & Stakeholders(1)
Kāinga Ora

housing development partnerships

2024

Strategic Priorities

10
1Pou Tokomanawa: Marae as dynamic, thriving hubs with people diversified, skilled, and grounded in mātauranga
2Pou Āwhā: Rongowhakaata narratives shaping local and global conversations
3Pou Tuarongo: Indigenous practices integrated into environmental and civic systems
4Pou Tāhū: Thriving Rongowhakaata economy and cultural capital
5Ecological restoration across the rohe including planting, biodiversity enhancement, and pest control
6Cultural identity strengthening through Kura Pō, Kaumātua support, and research partnerships
7Asset management and development including Nursery, properties, and Waiohiharore Hub proposal
8Social cohesion and uri engagement through kawa, Crown dialogue, and hapū partnerships
9Embedding mātauranga into governance, policies, and operational practices
10Cyclone Gabrielle recovery and resilience building

Key Risks

6
Cyclone Gabrielle impacts on assets, nursery operations, and community resilience
Environmental challenges including water quality, fish passage barriers, and asbestos management
Regional decision-making forums disruptions affecting iwi coordination
Commercial project delays due to recovery priorities
Asset remediation and site remediation requirements
Government funding reliance and need to reduce external funding dependence