ASSOCIATE TRUSTEE PROFILE

JOHANNAH KATENE-BURGE

Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Toa Rangatira

Thetaongaofourtupunahavebeenentrustedto the current and future generations, for the benefit of our people. As an endeavouring young wāhine Māori, I now seek the opportunity to represent my generation in the strategic direction of our iwi and the prudential management of taonga tuku iho, for the future yet. With a commerce academic focus of strategic management and human resource management, I set purpose to embody the skills IhavelearntthusfaratTheUniversityofWaikato and to further develop this expertise alongside Ngāti Tama. In the age of modern management, processes are evolving, technology is upgrading, and business is expanding. Yet, underneath the evolution of change will always remain the peopleandtherelationshipswechoosetofoster. After all, the people are our greatest network, asset and priority. I am proud that my leadership is founded upon my identity as Māori and as Ngāti Tama.

In November Ngāti Tama office went to Onetahua Marae for an overnight staff noho in Mohua.

The first stop was to meet the legendary Fred Te Miha, who guided the team around Motueka to some Ngāti Tama sites inthe surroundingareas The team visited our property at Whakarewa Street and Te Puna o Riuwaka.

We then headed over to Onetahua Marae, where we were welcomed by John WardHolmes, Robin Slow,Mākere Chapman and Mairangi Reiher. They took the team to Te Waikoropupū springs to hear stories of the area and then to a Ngāti Tama site in Parapara.

In the evening staff were treated to kōrero from Robin Slow about the history of Onetahua Marae, and a glimpse of the treasures inside.

On day two the team stopped on top of Tākaka hill to see the physical representationofNgārarahuarau'sscales –akorerowe’d heard about the night before. On the return home to Whakatū we visited Puketāwai Reserve in Motueka.