Ngā Kaitiaki o Te Whare

Dr Rev John Te Rire — Chairperson / Trustee

Ko Hone Te Rire tōku ingoa

Dr Rev John Te Rire guides our trust with wisdom, spiritual leadership, and a lifelong commitment to kaupapa Māori and community service. As Chairperson, he holds the centre of our decision-making, ensuring all our actions are grounded in integrity, tikanga, and the highest care for the people we serve.

With experience spanning ministry, advocacy, and cultural leadership across Tāmaki Makaurau and beyond, he brings both spiritual and practical stewardship to Rākau Mairire Whare Mōtatau. He leads by example — walking humbly, speaking with clarity, and always placing whānau well-being at the heart of every kaupapa.

Mr Keith Morris — Treasurer / Trustee

Ko Keith Morris tōku ingoa

Keith Morris serves as Treasurer, bringing careful stewardship, reliability, and a practical hand to the financial health and sustainability of the trust. He ensures our resources are managed wisely, transparently, and in full alignment with our values — so that every dollar supports our people, our whenua, and our mission.

With a strong commitment to service and community, Keith works quietly and steadily behind the scenes, building solid foundations that allow our kaupapa to grow and endure. His dedication ensures Rākau Mairire Whare Mōtatau remains strong, sustainable, and secure for generations ahead.

Ms Kirsten Morton — Secretary / Trustee

Ko Kirsten Morton tōku ingoa

Kirsten Morton holds the role of Secretary, bringing organisation, clarity, and heart to the governance and daily operations of the trust. She is the keeper of our records, our processes, and our voice — ensuring that decisions are clear, communications are open, and every trustee and community member is heard.

With a deep commitment to fairness, inclusion, and whanaungatanga, Kirsten bridges care with structure — making sure our work is not only done well but done with warmth, respect, and integrity. She works to ensure our kaupapa is accessible, our systems are strong, and our whānau always feel welcome.

Mrs Tangiwaha Morris — Trustee

Ko Tangiwaha Morris tōku ingoa

Tangiwaha Morris serves with a heart deeply rooted in whānau, whenua, and the traditions that bind us together. She brings warmth, insight, and a lifelong connection to our communities — ensuring our work always reflects the needs, voices, and dignity of those we exist to support.

Her guidance is shaped by care and by the wisdom of generations before her. Tangiwaha stands firm in protecting the mana of our whare and the well-being of every person who comes through our doors — holding space for healing, for belonging, and for renewal.

Ms Ruiha Rima — Trustee

Ko Ruiha Rima tōku ingoa

Ruiha Rima brings passion, clarity, and unwavering commitment to the kaupapa of restoration, reconnection, and rangatiratanga. She advocates strongly for those who have been disconnected — from their culture, their communities, or their true selves — and works tirelessly to ensure our spaces are welcoming, inclusive, and empowering.

With a clear vision for the future, Ruiha bridges tradition with progress — ensuring Rākau Mairire Whare Mōtatau remains relevant, responsive, and ever-growing in service to our people. She stands for self-determination, for cultural pride, and for a future where every whānau thrives.

Our Board — Ngā Kaitiaki

Rākau Mairire Whare Mōtatau is governed by six trustees — each chosen not only for skills and experience but for their integrity, their alignment with tikanga, and their willingness to serve. Together we hold the whare:

• Rākau — rooted in the past, growing for the future
• Mōtatau — remembering who we are, always

We do not lead above — we walk alongside. We do not own — we tend. And together, we keep the door open.

NAU MAI HAERE MAI