I carry the mana and responsibility for the hapū Ngāti Tamateatutahi-Ngāti Kawiti and our ancestral lands of Rotoiti 13D2 Te Tahuna. As a husband, father, and kaitiaki, I lead a team of five trustees overseeing 49 hectares of whenua, including 28 leasehold properties, Hinehopu Golf Club, and the Waiwherowhero Wetlands.

With over 20 years of governance experience across public and private sectors, I bring both Māori leadership values and business acumen to the Chairperson’s role. My approach is grounded in kaitiakitanga, manaakitanga, and tino rangatiratanga, ensuring the wellbeing of the hapū and protection of whenua are central to all decisions.

My trusteeship journey is rooted in whakapapa through the Whata whānau and a long-standing commitment to the hapū. Guided by Te Taiao o Te Whatuoranganuku, I believe leadership must serve both current shareholders and future generations. After time in the U.S. in 2018, I returned with global perspectives on indigenous governance. My appointment as Chair reflected the hapū’s trust in my ability to manage relationships with key partners while upholding cultural integrity.

Projects like restoring Hinehopu Wetland and pest control partnerships with Te Arawa Lakes Trust reflect our commitment to balancing environmental care with development. I see Te Tahuna Trust as a model of indigenous leadership, proving that with cultural integrity and self-reliance, hapū can thrive.

Whakataukī that guides me:

“Whatungarongaro te tangata, toitū te whenua – As people pass away, the land remains.”

This saying reminds me that our role is temporary, but our responsibilities are enduring. Every decision we make as trustees must honour the past, serve the present, and protect the future.

He mokopuna ahau nā Tamehana Gardiner, ā, he waimarie ahau i te tipu ake i raro i tōna maru i Rotomā, i te wā i tū tonu ai te whare tawhito i runga i tō tātou whenua, arā, Rotomā No. 1 Trust. Ko te kāinga tērā i whakatipuhia ai au ki ngā uara o tō tātou iwi. Kei ahau he hōnore nui te tū hei kaitiaki mō Te Tahuna, me te mōhio ko tēnei he ara e taea ai e au te whakahoki atu ki tō tātou whānau me tō tātou hapū. I am the mokopuna of Tamehana Gardiner. I was fortunate to be raised by him at Rotomā during the time when the old farmhouse still stood on our Rotomā No. 1 Trust land. It was there I was brought up with the values of our people. It is a privilege to serve as a Trustee for Te Tahuna, as it gives me the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the development and wellbeing of our whānau and hapū. My background spans education, general management, and Director-level roles across the health and Māori sectors. I have long been committed to advancing the wellbeing of Māori, and this role as a Trustee is another pathway to help uplift the mana of our whenua, our whānau, and our future generations. I am deeply committed to supporting the aspirations of our tūpuna and helping shape a thriving future for us all. “Ko te amorangi ki mua, ko te hāpai ō ki muri.” “The leader at the front, the supporters behind.” This reflects the importance of strong, collective leadership — where each person has a role to play — and aligns with the spirit of service and responsibility held by Ngāti Pikiao and Tamateatutahi.

I am Turanga Philip Treanor, known far and wide as John. My Tupuna is Te Whiti Wineti of Ngāti Tamateatutahi/Ngāti Kawiti and Ngāti Makino. He is credited as being one of the builders of the wharenui “Uruika” at Tapuaeharuru. I whakapapa to the Waretini and Hohepa whānau. I came home after being absent for 44 years working for over 30 years government service in the NZ Army, Employment & Vocational Guidance Service a part of the Department of Labour, Education & Training Support Agency and the Ministry of Justice. I also owned and operated a Post Shop and a Private Training Establishment in the Manawatu/Horowhenua rohe. It was my desire and wish to pass on as much of all my accumulated knowledge and experience to our hapu within Ngai Pikiao and Ngāti Makino. About four or five years ago Te Tahuna floated an idea at an AGM on how best to utilise its whenua for the benefit of the owners. I have always considered that our whenua has excellent potential for tourism and visitor activities and these thoughts inspired me to become a Trustee. The rest is history. I have an inherent love and memory for the whenua, its flora and fauna which started back in the early 1950s when being on the marae at Tapuaeharuru was a regular event.

He uri whakaheke ahau nō Hiria Te Warihi. Ko Tally Arapeta Williams tōku koroua, ko Cathy Williams tōku māmā.Whenua, whakapapa and whānau are mātāpono that guide my thinking and contributions to Te Tahuna Trust.

I have governance experience across a number of entities and enjoy the challenge of being a good kaitiaki who makes mokopuna decisions.

I’ve worked in the public sector for most of my life and see the benefit of bringing the tools and experience from that mahi, to advance our collective aspirations.

Rau Egelen is 69 years old, married with five children and 14 moko. Rau has lived in Rotoiti most of his life, working for Mercury.

He’s been a Trustee for three years, is active at the marae, golf club, and sports clubs.