Trust Board

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei

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  • Te Whāinga

    The Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust is the governing entity, with the purpose to receive, administer and protect the Trust’s assets to ensure the cultural, social and commercial development of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei for the benefit of its members.

    It is the responsibility of the Trust to demonstrate strong leadership for our hapū through good governance, transparent decision-making and, working together with our subsidiaries Whai Māia Limited and Whai Rawa Limited, on behalf of our people.

Strategic priorities developed through our mahi, are underpinned by our mātāpono, the values that help ground us to tikanga Māori, and guided by the vision – “Kia rere arorangi te kāhu pokere ki ngā taumata tiketike”.

Structure and Subsidiaries

He aha te mea nui o te ao? Mākū e kī atu, he tangata, he tangata, he tangata.

Ōrākei Marae is at the heart of our hapū and connects us through whakapapa as uri o Tuperiri. Steeped in its rich culture and history, Ōrākei marae remains the primary hub for the hapū.

As the governing body, the responsibility of the Trust is to lead and manaaki the 'group'. The Group' is comprised of three (3) entities; Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust, Whai Māia Limited and Whai Rawa Limited.

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust; has two wholly owned subsidiary companies. These subsidiaries have their own boards of governance with a mix of whānau and independent directors. All subsidiary board members are appointed by the Trust.

Our subsidiary Board members are highly skilled individuals who we have chosen to represent Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to develop our overall objectives.

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Māia Limited; is a charitable trust,  responsible for the social and cultural development of our people. The main areas of focus are Employment and Education, Health and Wellbeing, Arts and Culture, Toki Taiao, and managing key relationships. Whai Māia take priority in building the capacity of our people, so they are able to take control of their own destiny.

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa Limited; is the property development and investment company. The principal objective of Whai Rawa is to maximise the financial or economic returns of the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei group. The funds generated by Whai Rawa are used to support the tribal development goals of Whai Māia in education, health and employment, with the purpose of supporting Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei whānau for generations to come.

Meet the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust Elected Representatives

  • Marama Royal

    Chair

    Marama has been a Director since 2O1O and served as Chair since December 2O17. Marama has extensive experience in strategic planning, relationship management, leadership, governance, and organisational change. She is passionate about achieving positive outcomes for whānau, especially our kaumātua.

  • Ngarimu Blair

    Deputy Chair

    Ngarimu has an extensive history in tribal development having held numerous roles across the group since 1998. He has also held significant Crown and Auckland Council Board positions across a variety of science, property, housing and infrastructure entities. Despite iwi political dynamics Ngarimu co-chaired the Auckland Mana Whenua Kaitiaki Forum before it was disbanded. Ngarimu is committed to the mana motuhake of Ngāti Whātua ki Tāmaki and building its relationships across the confederation of hapū and iwi from Maunganui to Tāmaki. 

  • Precious Clark

    Precious is in her third term on the trust, and previously serviced 10 years on the board of Whai Rawa. Precious is the Chief Executive of Maurea, an organisation that is using Māori culture to drive Aotearoa forward.

     

    The Te Kaa Māori cultural competency training programme has won accolades from some of New Zealand’s biggest businesses.

    She is currently on the board of Tindall Foundation and the Chair of the Māori advisory board at the Auckland Museum.

     

    Precious is passionate about our reo, tikanga, education, housing and financial success and brings her networks, energy and extensive governance experience to our board in support of whānau success. 

  • Renata Blair

    Renata is member of Te Reu Roa and a member of the Treaty Protection Committee. He is a Council member for AUT University, a Trustee for Eden Park Trust and is General Manager Māori Business at BNZ.  Rēnata is committed to Te Reo Māori and upholding our tikanga and kawa.  He has wide business, financial and commercial experience to ensure we continue to remain an economic powerhouse in Tāmaki Makau Rau.

  • Roi Teua

    In her inaugural term on the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust Board, Roi comes from a background working in Marketing and Communications. Bringing experience from working within the iwi, in the private sector with Māori Business and now, her own businesses Te Whanake and Kaingā.

     

    Roi aspires to persistently contribute to the advancement of our iwi, hapū, and populace, with a steadfast commitment to fostering lasting benefits for future generations, while nurturing the commitments made by our whānau and Tūpuna who have paved the way. 

  • Arekatera Maihi

    Arekatera “Katz” Maihi is committed to advancing Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei by strengthening its cultural identity, mātauranga, whakapapa and aspirations. 

    His experience spans Māori arts, education, cultural heritage and business. He has undertaken further study at the University of Waikato, teaches music and whakairo at the recently reopened Tipene (St Stephen’s School), and operates his own art business. 

    As a Trustee, Katz supports responsible governance and sustainable economic development while protecting whenua, tikanga, whakapapa and whānau wellbeing. He is committed to a strong, culturally grounded and prosperous future that preserves Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei’s heritage and creates opportunities for future generations. 

  • Anahera Rawiri

    *Newly appointed Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust Board Member 2025.

  • Otene Hopa

    Otene brings a commitment to manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and Te Ao Māori. As a Cultural Consultant, he strengthens understanding and connection between the corporate sector and Māori culture. 

     

    Returning to Takaparawhau has deepened his connection to his tūrangawaewae and commitment to Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. 

     

    Otene is passionate about ensuring whānau and uri o Tuperiri remain connected to their whakapapa, whenua and identity. He advocates for leadership grounded in tikanga, meaningful whānau engagement and decisions that reflect our values as an iwi and whānau organisation, honouring our past, empowering our present and protecting future generations. 

  • Te Arepa Morehu

    *Newly appointed Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust Board Member 2026. 

Trust Governance Materials

Read our Governance Materials below or visit our Governance Materials webpage here, for more.

  • Read the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Group Annual Plan for the financial year July 1 2024 - June 30 2025

  • Read more about the Trust Deed

  • Read more about the Trust Constitution

  • Read more about Trust Governance

  • Read more about our policies in the tabs below

    • Read more about our Health and Safety Policy 

  • Read more about our Term of Reference in the tabs below

  • Read more about our Strategic Plan in the tabs below

Click here to view all Governance Material

Ngā Mātāpono

Tino Rangatiratanga

Kia tū a Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei i runga i tōna anō tino rangatiratanga. 

Self-determination: We are self-reliant as Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, now, and forever.

Rangatiratanga

Kia whakaatu, kia whakatinana i te mana motuhake me te rangatiratanga puta noa i te hapū.

Leadership: To live and practice positive leadership throughout the hapū.

Kaitiakitanga

Kia tiakina ō tātou whānau, ō tātou whenua, ā tātou taonga me ā tātou rawa mō ake tonu atu.

Guardianship: To protect our people, our lands, our resources and our toanga forever.

Whanaungatanga

Kia kitea te mana me te tapu o ia kāwai heke i heke iho ai i a Tuperiri, hei rangitāmiro tātou i a tātou.

Kinship: To embrace and acknowledge the importance of our whakapapa and relationships, and, how these bind us together.

Manaakitanga

Manaakitanga: Ko te whānau kei te pokapū o ngā kaupapa whakawhanake i te iwi. Mā roto i tā mātou tū tangata whenua ki Te Kahu Tōpuni o Tuperiri, e rongo ai te katoa i te rau manaaki o te iwi nei.  

Care and Hospitality: Whānau are the core focus of hapū development. Our host responsibility to others will positively reflect our role as tangata whanua.

Kotahitanga

Kia kotahi te tū, kia kotahi te hoe.

Unity: Stand as one and work together.

Mana Taurite

Kia taurite te whai wāhi atu o ngā uri o Tuperiri, ki ngā painga me ngā aheinga o te ao.

Equity: All hapū members have equal access to benefits and opportunities.

Ahi Kā

Kia kōwhiuwhiutia tonutia te ahi kā, kei pūrēhua, ā, ka kewa: Ka pūmau ki te hiranga o te papakāinga ki Ōrākei, me tōna noho ki te taone nui o Tāmaki Makaurau.

Keeping the home fires burning: To uphold the unique and important role that Ōrākei papakāinga maintains across Tāmaki Makaurau.