Huakina Development Trust
Board of Trustees
Kandi Ngataki - Elected Chairperson
What is important to Kandi about Huakina is the people — He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. It is about serving and uplifting the marae of Te Puaha o Waikato ki Manukau, while honouring the deep, unbreakable connection to the whenua and the awa: Ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au. Ko au te whenua, ko te whenua ko au. These relationships lie at the heart of who we are and the kaupapa that drives our mahi.
A key goal Kandi holds for Huakina is to ensure a future-focused pathway shaped by the guidance and lessons of the past, with succession planning at its core. This vision includes continued growth, education, and providing meaningful direction and support to ngā whānau and marae of Te Puaha o Waikato ki Manukau.
Heeni Kani - Co-Chair Person
For Heeni, Huakina is a foundation built on kaupapa Māori values—a place where whānau, hapū, and marae are uplifted and supported. She values the Trust’s unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of the people, the protection of the whenua and taiao, and the preservation of tikanga and mātauranga across generations. To Heeni, Huakina is not just an organisation—it is a legacy of collective strength, unity, and cultural resilience.
Heeni aspires to strengthen intergenerational connections by creating spaces for rangatahi to walk alongside and learn from our kaumātua. She believes that by nurturing these relationships and embedding mātauranga Māori into daily practice, Huakina will continue to thrive as a beacon for whānau, hapū, and iwi development. Her approach is grounded in whanaungatanga, kōrero tuku iho, and empowering future leaders through cultural knowledge and collective support.
Rawhiti-Whenua Ngataki - Secretary Trustee
Rawhiti-Whenua values the commitment to supporting all generations—rangatahi, pakeke, and kaumātua—recognising that each has its own unique needs and aspirations. Their focus is on serving these groups in ways that are meaningful and effective, with every effort grounded in doing what’s best for our people.
Rawhiti-Whenua aspires to uplift the mātauranga and capability of both the Board and themselves, so they can better respond to the diverse needs of our whānau, hapū, and iwi. By nurturing a strong pipeline of talent grounded in kaupapa Māori, they aim to empower the next generation of leaders—ensuring Huakina continues to thrive with mana, integrity, and a clear vision for the future.
Beverley Vahai - Trustee
Beverley values the importance of delivering meaningful services that meet the needs of our marae, our people, and the wider community.
Her goal is to honour the visions laid down by the kaumātua who came before her, by striving to do her best for the people and offering strong, consistent support to the organisation.
Te Koroneihana Adrienne Tupaea-Cole
- Trustee
For Te Koroneihana Adrienne, Huakina Development Trust holds deep significance as it was established to awhi and support the Iwi Māori of Te Puaha o Waikato, around the Manukau Harbour. It plays a crucial role in building and maintaining relationships that strengthen the wellbeing of our hapū, marae, and whānau.
Equally important, Huakina provides a platform for hapū and marae to address environmental concerns through whenua claims and redress processes, ensuring the voice of tangata whenua is upheld in the protection of our land and natural resources.
Te Koroneihana Adrienne’s goal is to see the completion of the Wai 330 claim, originally drafted in 1993 by our tūpuna. Honouring their legacy, she also aims to develop and implement a comprehensive post-settlement plan—ensuring the aspirations of our people are realised and our future is guided by the vision of those who came before us.
Hana Jensen - Trustee
Hana’s goal is to support the growth of strong skills and achievements among both staff and management, ensuring the organisation continues to thrive.
She is also deeply committed to creating more opportunities for our younger whānau to be involved—encouraging their presence, their voices, and their learning. By supporting rangatahi to engage in the kaupapa and understand the pathway forward, Hana hopes to nurture future leaders who will carry Huakina’s vision with pride and purpose.
Maaka Potini - Trustee
For Maaka, it is vital to uphold the tikanga and standards laid down by those who founded the kaupapa of Huakina. He is committed to protecting and continuing their legacy, ensuring that the Trust remains strong and sustainable so it can carry on serving our people and fulfilling its role for generations to come.
Maaka’s goal is to join the Wai claim committee and actively contribute to progressing the claim toward completion. He sees this as a vital step in advancing the aspirations of Te Puaha ki Manukau, ensuring justice, recognition, and long-term benefits for the people and whenua.
Moana Brown - Trustee
For Moana, what is most important about Huakina is honouring the past, being grounded in the present, and upholding the aspirations and goals of those who have gone before, those who serve today, and those who will lead in the future. Her goal is to be a well-informed and effective board member—one who fully understands her responsibilities, the policies that guide the Trust, and how the board operates as a collective. In doing so, she aims to contribute meaningfully to Huakina’s ongoing strength and direction.
Tamara Taka-Jones
- Trustee
Ko Taupiri te maunga
Ko Waikato te Awa
Ko Ngati Tamaoho, Ngati Whawhakia te hapu
Ko Mangatangi te Marae
Ko Tamara Taka-Jones toku ingoa
For Tamara, Huakina Development Trust stands as a pou of strength for Māori whānau across Te Puaha and the wider community, having upheld this role for over 40 years. Her aspiration is to see the development of a strengthened, fit-for-purpose hauora model that directly addresses the health needs and inequities faced by whānau Māori. By contributing through Huakina’s representation on the Iwi-Māori Partnership Board (IMPB), Tamara believes this vision can be realised as part of the evolving Te Whatu Ora health system.
