About Ngā Pekanga

Ko Tokomaru, Kurahaupo raua ko Aotea nga waka Ko Taranaki te maunga Ko Taranaki, Te Atiawa nui tonu, Ngati Mahuta oku iwi Ko Parihaka, Urenui, Potaka, Mururaupatu, Te Koroha raua ko Te Kawau oku marae Ko te mokopuna o Maunga Taranaki ahau Ko Te Urutarewa-Colleen Tuuta ahau I have been involved with ‘Nga Pekanga’ in various forms for most of my life. Our move as a whanau in 1960 from ‘the coast’- Pungarehu and Parihaka Pa to Bell Block lead to Nga Pekanga and Mururaupatu Pa featuring big in our lives from then on. ‘Whakawhanaungatanga’ is what has kept many of our whanau involved with Nga Pekanga over the years. Coming together once a month for Miha Maori as Maori, as whanau and as katorika was a highlight back then. That practice of monthly Miha Maori continues to today – we meet at 10.30am on the second Sunday of each month. I have been the Chair of Nga Pekanga Catholic Maori Charitable Trust since 2016 and I bring a diverse range of skills and experience that have I learned over 30 years. From my Pa training to Policy training to Catering business to Boardrooms to published research – I bring all of that with me but I still love to learn. “WisdomVillage@Nga Pekanga is another great learning opportunity!”. Pai marire.

I was born in Opunake and raised in Okato and Bell Block. My early education took place at Okato and Bell Block primary schools, followed by secondary schooling at Sacred Heart Girls’ College, Fitzroy. I established a career as a professional executive administrator, working in the legal sector and Local Government New Zealand.

Ka rere taku manu i te tihi o Koro Taranaki Ka topa iho ki ngā wai o Otakeho Ka hōkai atu ki te ihu waka o Aotea Te ūranga mai o Ngāruahinerangi Ka huri te aro ki tua, ki te whenua o Ngāti Haua, ki te marae o Tawhitinui Ka tau ki te mahau o Okare Tau atu, tau atu, tau I am a proud uri of Aotea, Tokomaru, Takitimu and Mataatua waka and whakapapa to Ngāruahine, Te Atiawa, Taranaki Whānui and Te Whakatōhea. Professionally, I am an experienced corporate insurance broker and risk management advisor with many years of governance experience. My focus since joining the trust has been on helping to build governance capacity within it by implementing a strong governance manual, with appropriate policies and procedures, and developing a business plan and operating model.

My commitment to this rohe is grounded in my Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa (pāpā) and Ngāti Porou (māmā) whakapapa. I married a local farmer 46 years ago, and I am cemented to Taranaki by my three children and twelve grandchildren, who keep me grounded in the community. My spiritual connection to Ngā Pekanga Māori Catholic Church began approximately 15 years ago, introduced by my late uncle, John Smith who was originally from Wairoa. Following my husband’s passing 24 years ago, I established and have successfully owned Office Furniture First for 22 years. This deep, two-decade business knowledge is what I primarily contribute to the trust, alongside my dedicated Catholic faith. I also co-founded He Toronga Pakihi ki Taranaki to support local Māori enterprises. I offer a blend of operational realism, fiscal responsibility, and a focus on intergenerational equity, ensuring all trust decisions are robust and transparent.

I am originally from the King Country. With Taumarunui being my home town, I have a strong feeling of kinship to the Whanganui river. I come from a family of five children and have been blessed with a large family myself, which keeps my life full and busy. I have had previous experience on school, kindergarten and sports committees. For many years I served on the board of trustees at Francis Douglas Memorial College, as well as a term on the St Joseph Parish Council in New Plymouth. What I bring to Ngā Pekanga is my loyalty, commitment and staying on until the job is done.

Ko Tokomaru, Kurahaupo raua ko Aotea nga waka Ko Taranaki te maunga Ko Taranaki, Te Atiawa nui tonu, Ngati Mahuta oku iwi Ko Parihaka, Urenui, Potaka, Mururaupatu, Te Koroha raua ko Te Kawau oku marae Ko Lisa Revell ahau. I became a Trustee at Nga Pekanga Catholic Maori Charitable Trust in 2023 and I am a next-generation kaitiaki of all our kaupapa at Nga Pekanga. Aunty Nora Tuuta, our Dad’s sister was involved in Nga Pekanga and our Father, Tommy Mahutonga was also involved as a Trustee back in the 1980’s to1990’s. This was when the Nga Pekanga Te Kohanga Reo, a Trade Training programme and the first Kaumatua Flats were established. Our mother Dawn Mahutonga was also involved as a Kaiako/tutor at the Te Kohanga Reo at that time too. My brother Rawiri Mahutonga was a Trustee for several years. Our mokopuna tuatahi was baptised at Nga Pekanga last year and our mokopuna tuarua will also be baptised at Nga Pekanga later this year! So I guess you can say I am definitely part of the ‘succession plan’ for Nga Pekanga – ae ra!