15 May 2026

Whānau hunting opportunity 2026

2 May 2026

E Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara, tēnā koutou katoa. Ko ngā mihi ki ō tātou tūpuna, ko ngā mihi ki te hunga kua okioki, haere mai, haere. Ko ngā mihi ki a koutou e ngā reo, e ngā mana, e ngā tini karangatanga maha, ngā tihi, ngā wai, ngā roherohenga, tēnā koutou katoa.

I am humbled and proud to be elected as Chairman of Ngā Maunga Whakahī o Kaipara. I acknowledge my whanaunga Margie for all of her hard mahi over the past few years. I acknowledge the mana of Te Taoū, Ngāti Whātua Tūturu, Ngāti Rango, Te Uri o Mate, and the 5 marae of the rohe Rēweti, Haranui, Te Kia Ora, Te Aroha Pā, Puatahi, and look forward to rebuilding our relationships across Kaipara Moana with the home people. I have dedicated my life to strengthening Ngāti Whātua and its hapū and for us to realise how great our tūpuna were and how great we are and can be. I will continue this important mahi from this role too and call on all our uri to work together for a better future for each and every one of us. I’m excited by the new board all of whom filled their tūru today being a voice for their respective parts of the Kaipara. I commit to help building this to be the best team our people deserve. I also look forward to working with my Te Taoū/Rēweti whanaunga and Deputy Chair, Mihi Moeka’a. Together I know we can lead and guide our organisation with our Tumu Whakarae to a place of excellence in culture, business and whānau development.

20 April 2026

Ngarimu Blair appointed Tumu Whakarae- Chief Executive of Ngā Maunga Whakahī o Kaipara

Ngā Maunga Whakahī o Kaipara (NMWoK) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ngarimu Blair as Tumu Whakarae (Chief Executive), marking an important step forward in the ongoing renewal and strengthening of the Trust.

Chair Margie Tukerangi said as a Board, they are grateful to appoint someone with the experience, capability and deep connection that Ngarimu brings to the iwi and hapū of South Kaipara. “Ngarimu brings incredible experience and skills to the role. He is Ngāti Whātua through and through, and we are thrilled to be able to appoint him as our chief executive.”

Ms Tukerangi said there was significant interest and a very high quality of applicants for the position. “We were fortunate to have a very strong group of applicants for the position, many of whom were from our 3 hapū. While it made our task especially difficult, that gave us real confidence in the depth of capability across our people to lead and support the opportunities ahead for our marae and hapū.”

Mr Blair brings more than 25 years’ experience across iwi governance, commercial development, and engagement with local and central government. He has a deep understanding of the rohe and has built strong and enduring relationships across Te Ao Māori, the public sector, and wider partners.

He said he is honoured to take on the role at an important time for the Trust.

“I am humbled by the opportunity to serve and to give back where I can to our iwi, hapū and marae. The timing feels right. I’ve watched and supported the work of the new Board as they’ve focused on laying strong foundations, and I’m looking forward to building on that.”

“My priority will be to listen — to understand the needs and expectations of our people, our hapū and marae, and the Board. From there, we can develop a clear work programme that reflects those priorities and supports practical delivery.”

“These are positive and exciting times, but they also require us to move in a united, considered and deliberate way. I’m looking forward to getting out across South Kaipara, kanohi ki te kanohi, to hear directly from our people.”

“Progress in iwi organisations comes through trust, clarity and consistency. My focus will be on building that and ensuring we are aligned with the aspirations of our people.”

Ms Tukerangi said the appointment reflects the progress already made by the Trust over the past year.

“Over recent months we have focused on strengthening our foundations — refreshing the Board, holding our AGM, and working through outstanding matters. This has been important work to restore confidence, stability and transparency"

“This appointment signals the next phase — continuing that momentum, strengthening our capability, and ensuring we are well positioned to serve our whānau, hapū and marae into the future.”

A full pōhiri to Mr Blair in to the role will be held in early June.