Te Ohu Whakaita Charitable Trust

Waikato Tainui, Ngaati Maniapoto, Ngaapuhi, Ngaati Whaatua

SECRETARY - Suva was raised during her teenage years in Waikato and is now raising her whānau in Ngaaruawāhia. This year, Suva is actively learning te reo Māori at Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato to experience Te Ao Māori more fully, to serve iwi Māori and to champion kaupapa Māori. 

Suva has a passion for events to celebrate culture, excellence and achievement in many forms. She also stays busy in the event space in floristry, styling and videography. Suva is excited to join Te Ohu Whakaita Charitable Trust in the role of Secretary and looks forward to assisting in the success of its various projects.

TREASURER - Ralph was born and raised in Waikato, although he attended university in Manawatu. He says he’s most passionate about this place and the people and wants to ensure our communities continue to thrive culturally.

Ralph says he is excited to join Te Ohu Whakaita Charitable Trust and to be part of the Matariki Ki Waikato Winter Festival. As Friends of Hamilton Gardens vice-president, Ralph supported the 2022 Matariki Festival's launch, Te Karanga o te Tau Hou and Matariki Kite Day.

Ralph’s background includes management, marketing, relationship building, and growing solid networks. He has twenty years of funding, financial and event management with a strong governance background. Ralph wears many hats in his voluntary roles to support our communities. He says, “Life is far too short not to be enjoyable.”

MYRA RUKA

Raukawa, Ngaati Kuri, Te Aupouri, Te Rarawa, Ngaa Puhi

BOARD MEMBER - Myra was born and raised in Waikato and is passionate about the wellbeing and Hauora of our Taiao, Whaanau and Communities. Hauora and wellbeing are nurtured when a society and community reflects your culture and whaanau aspirations. She sees volunteering with Te Ohu Whakaita Charitable Trust as a privilege and opportunity to support Kaupapa Maaori events in the Waikato region. Myra is a member of Hei Ahuru Mowai - Maaori Cancer Leadership for Aotearoa, Co-chair for the Clinical Equity Leadership at Waikato District Health Board and a member of The Maaori Health Committee for The Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

ANNA CASEY-COX

Raised in the rohe of Ngāti Hauā of Irish, Scottish and English descent.

BOARD MEMBER - Anna was previously a Community Organiser at Go Eco and Poverty Action Waikato. Anna is also a Trust Waikato and Living Wage Aotearoa Board member and believes that strong cultural identity and understandings of whakapapa are vital to a thriving Waikato community. Anna.....

is honoured to support the kaupapa of Te Ohu Whakaita Charitable Trust.

LANDY NONOA

Faleasi'u, Nu'usuatia  - Samoa and Fakaaofo - Tokelau

BOARD MEMBER - Landy is a proud daughter of the Pacific, born  in Faleasi'u, Samoa and raised in Fairfield, Kirikiriroa- Hamilton.

She is the Co-Founder and Director of Talents of the Pacific Academy - TOPA. Waikato's leading Provider of Pasifika Performing Arts and Cultural Learnings.

Based in Hamilton, a family built dream  - Landy and her team developed a platform for Pacific Cultural Programmes to engage students from Early Childcare, Primary, Intermediate, High School and Adult Learners.

TOPA shares the essence of Pasifika Culture, making a commitment to provide a high level Cultural experience.

In June 2022 Landy was voted in as the Chairperson for the Waikato Samoan Association Charitable Trust. Under her leadership thus far, the Trust has established the inaugural Waikato Samoan Interfaith Church Service, they set up the first Mafutaga Fa'afeiloa'i- a gathering for Waikato's Samoan Church Ministers and Leaders with the Board to discuss and develop annual plans for the Samoan Community.

The Board has made a commitment for monthly visits to the many Samoan community groups (Church groups), engage with their congregation and seek what each congregation needs from the Board. They have also helped individual families with finding homes, assistance for care packages and support with education and employment.

Landy is blessed with an 8 year old daughter and she celebrates 19 years with her Husband in December.

CASSANDRA BARNETT

Raukawa ki Wharepūhunga, Ngāti Airihi, Ngāti Pākehā

BOARD MEMBER - Cassandra was raised in Tāmaki and lived in Wellington for the last eight years, but has returned to Kirikiriroa with her 10 year old son to be nearer to whānau and hapū.

Cassandra has a background as an art academic and has published many essays, stories and poems about art, culture and te taiao. She was a writer in residence at Zealandia eco-sanctuary in 2019 and at Anawhata (Hikurangi/Waitākere Regional Park) in 2022. She is a founding member of Taraheke Press

Cassandra has just started a new Pouako / Museum Educator role at Te Whare Taonga o Waikato. She is honoured to join Te Ohu Whakaita and is excited to help support and uplift Māori arts and literature in the Waikato.