Tiki Bluegum
Ngai Tamawhariua Ki Te Rereatukahia Taiao Charitable Trust
T/A Te Maire 2021
Trustee's
Tiki Bluegum - Chairman
My name is Tiki Bluegum (Purukamu). I was born in Katikati in 1954, Te Rereatukahia Marae is the whenua where my tipuna whare Tamawhariua stands.
My mother Kimioranga Pe Hori Purukamu was one of the Kaitiaki of the Marae until she died in 1990. As a young boy I was bought up under strict guidance regarding our Tikanga and learnt Marae protocols around our cultural issues.
Mai Uta Ki Tai, from deep into the (forest) Ngahere Ki Te Moana (sea). In my late teens my mother started teaching me about our Hapu, Iwi and Whakapapa. Growing up on our Marae, "spirituality" was very real, Karakia was the beginning and end of every day.
As the chairperson of this charitable trust I offer a range of things, Old Karakia that dates back years that resonate with our teachings from our Tipuna.
Pest control is our first priority however I am also here to guide the team in protecting themselves when new sites of significant are found, a Karakia will take place to keep all those that venture into the Ngahere safe.
Fiona Tedbury - Secretary
Kia Ora, I am originally from Whangarei, I moved to Katikati in 1987 with my 2 Daughters and partner, I have Raised my children here and worked in various accounting firms since 1990.
I attended my AT cert and became a member of CAANZ in 2022. I have been treasurer to several clubs over the years and recently became secretary to the Ngai Tamawhariua Ki Te Rereatukahia Taiao Charitable Trust.
After battling breast cancer twice in ten years I wanted to give something back to the community I call home.
I have always had an interest in the Taiao (environment) and ecology, That is why I became a Trustee, I believe that taking care of our environment is an important aspect to our future.
Valerie Baker - Independent Trustee
I was born and have lived most of my life in Katikati, educated through the local school systems before attending Hamilton for tertiary education and future development through the school of life.
During the past 50 plus years, I have held various positions in my professional life starting at the bottom and working my way up to becoming managing director of two-family businesses. During this time, I have also held various positions in several Trusts and community groups locally as well as regional and nationally.
This experience allows me to offer a wealth of knowledge as an independent Trustee for this venture, one that aligns with the core values and principles of Te Marie Taiao.
My core values are as a traditionist with nature and all culture within New Zealand, while still understanding an appreciating the necessity to be able to think and act outside the square with the running, management, and growth of any organisation.
Haimona Brown - Maori Trustee
Haimona Brown is a committed kaitiaki with a deep passion for protecting and nurturing Te Taiao through kaupapa Maori. Grounded in the traditions of Waka building, Navigation and Matauranga tuku iho, Haimona brings a lived understanding of how our ancestral knowledge guides our responsibilities today. His mahi with rangatahi, awa restoration and community - led initiatives reflects a holistic approach to kaitiakitanga - one that balances cultural revitalization, whenua wellbeing and intergenerational care.
As a trustee, he is dedicated to upholding tikanga and fostering strong, enduring relationships between people and the natural world.
Wayne Knox - Maori Trustee
Wayne is from the Waikato tribes of Ngāti Pou, Ngāti Mahuta and Ngāti Apakura on his mum’s side. His dad’s side is from Ireland and England, and like his dad, Wayne grew up in Katikati. Wayne feels lucky to have grown up within Ngai Tamawhariua, and now he’s married into the hapū too. He sees being part of Te Rereatukahia Taiao Trust as one way he can give back to the hapū and help care for the taiao.Wayne trained to be an architect, and for almost 10 years he’s been helping Māori communities around Aotearoa to create safe, warm homes for whānau. He now works for Te Hau Ora o Ngāpuhi, helping lead their housing work. He’s also one of the leaders of Co.Creators, a business which helps Māori organisations make strong plans and systems.Wayne is the first person in Aotearoa to become an associate practitioner of BioGeometry — a way of designing spaces that help people feel well and balanced. He’s also doing a PhD in Architecture, where he’s studying how tangata whenua are finding ways to fix the housing crisis.
Te Maire 2021 Team
Melody Hirini - General Manager
Kia ora, Born and raised in KatiKati by my elderly grandparents we lived off the Ngahere it was a main food source for our ever growing whanau. My Pop and my uncles used to hunt pigs and deer to put food on the table by day, and trap possums for there fur by night. My philosophy is that we have utilized the Ngahere to take care of us in the past and now we are taking care of the ngahere by continuing to restore and protect our Taonga through the Restoration work that Te Maire 2021 are committed to undertake.
Lisa Mua-Lamelangi - Admin
I have lived locally since 1987, I am from NgaiTamawhariua, our local hapu and I bring to the workplace my life experiences, qualities and administration skills.
As a child holidaying with my grandparents, it was a regular family event to do pest control as well as an income for possum fur, in our local Kaimai area.
My first job, I had was in the Ngahere, in the Waikato at the age of 12yr, carrying the petrol & Oil containers for the scrub cutters on weekends. My self-experiences were those of exploration, discovery and learning, all of which were positive and contributed to my life leading into adulthood.
My passion is caring for our people, our community, our Taiao/Environment.I am here because I want to do my part helping to create a better place for our future generations and the Taiao. The work and results of the Te Maire team, makes me feel that we are on target and achieving those goals.
Keremeta Bluegum - Field Manager
Tēna koutou katoa,
My name is Keremeta, I descend from the whanau Purukamu/Bluegum of the Hapū Ngai Tamawhariua. I grew up and was educated in Katikati and am primarily involved with our local marae and hapu community.
It has been a great passion of mine to work closely with the Taiao (Environment) being land and sea based.
I'd like to think I've manifested my dream job; however, a job merely holds the same values when the honour is all yours.
Our Kaimai's hold a significant place in our tribal existence as it is our eldest ancestor in the Tribal lands of Ngai Tamawhariua and once a sustainable food source.
Throughout the duration of my employment with Ngai Tamawhariua ki Te Rereatukahia Taiao I have learned how imperative the pest control operation is and with every bit of contribution to eradicate pest and preservation of rare and natural species that we are helping to maintain the natural order of our forest.
This also helps us to teach our younger generations how to nurture and preserve such taonga.
There is a oneness I feel each time I present myself to the forest in humbleness, I feel safe, I feel whole, I feel grounded, and I feel at home, I am very fortunate to be working, contributing and making a positive impact to my tribal lands and the Kaimai's in an honourable way.
Ronin Ainsley - Kaimahi
I am a Kaimahi of Te Maire 2021. I have been in this field of work for a little over two years.
I descend from hunters -gatherers who spent most of their lives exploring nature and immersing themselves in roles of Kaitiakitanga.
To be able to walk in the footsteps of my Tipuna has given me a purpose and the opportunity to do my part towards restoring our Ngahere. The Ngahere is a safe space for myself as it allows for peaceful times, when life can be quite hectic, slowing down, taking in your surroundings and listening to the whistles of the manu echo through the trees.
I work in this space to create awareness of our beautiful Ngahere being in decline, so that the rangatahi of tomorrow can also enjoy the fruits of Papatuanuku, like those before us and just as we can now.
"Whaia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe, me he maunga teitei."
"Seek the treasure that you value most dearly; if you bow your head let it be to a lofty mountain."
Haamiora Joseph
I have always wanted to work in the Ngahere and work the hills our Tipuna walked, It's a spiritual healing for me and keeps me awoken to the whenua beneath my feet.
I have loved the bush since I was a young kid i would head out for hunts with uncles and loved it so this was my calling to work in the Ngahere.
I learnt so much in a year and its actualy supprising how to read the topo maps to using possum traps or even knowing where I am in area's of the Kaimai Ranges, it shows that "spending time in the hill's can't teach you skills", "it teaches you life skills and how to survive".
I love hunting, fishing and getting outdoors as well, But I also have a son so getting him into the outdoors is a big thing for me. I want him to love it more than me and I am hoping that he will also love the Ngahere as I can now teach him how to be safe to enjoy it.
Rangi Paraha - Kaimahi
I started work for Te Maire 2021 after I was approached for help due to my work ethics and reliability. I agreed to help as I like what they do to try and help the Ngahere survive from pests. "Look after the land and the land will look after you"!
I have lived all over New Zealand but have always returned to Katikati due to it being 10mins from the Ngahere or 10mins to the ocean where we are surrounded by Kai that the land provides.
I spent 10yrs as a beekeeper where native bush was home all over NZ, I enjoy most outside recreation from 4X4 & motorbikes to teaching my three daughters how to survive from hunting and fishing, diving to growing native plants and gardening.
I have a strong passion & commitment to getting mahi completed when needed or required.
