SETTING UP
This Foundation Board for Mana Tiaki was established in 2009. It's establishment has ensured that the founding members and the original Mana Tiaki kaupapa are retained whilst allowing the organisation to be governed by new whanau each year. The Foundation Board are automatically members of the Executive Committee each year.
WHAEA KAREN
Ko Ruahine te maunga, Ko Waikaremoana te awa, Ko Takitimu te waka, Ko Ngati Kahungunu ki te Wairoa te iwi, Ko Tamaterangi te hapu, Ko Rangiahua raua ko Hinemihi oku marae, ko Karen Hill ahau. Tena koutou te whanau o Mana Tiaki - He honore he kororia he maunga rongo ki te whenua He whakaaro pai ki nga iwi katoa. Tena koutou te whanau o Mana Tiaki.
Mana Tiaki began in 2003 when a small group of Tawa parents wanted their children to learn kapahaka. As their tutor I started the group with a handful of tamariki and with their parents we formed a small whanau group originally attached to Tawa School.
The organisation has grown to include over 60 families now but the kaupapa remains the same - to reconnect our families with tikanga Maori.
It remains a privilege, after all these years, to be a part of a wonderful whanau caring for one another and providing opportunities for their tamariki to learn more about what it is to be Maori.
DENNIS SHARMAN
Dennis has been central to the setting up and development of Mana Tiaki since its conception. As a local businessman Dennis has always been close by for all Mana Tiaki activities and takes care of the legislative requirements of the organisation.
Though Dennis's children are no longer performing with the group they continue to be outstanding role models and high achievers.
In 2017 Dennis remains active on the Executive Board.
KURA GOLDSMITH
Kura is the iwi representative on the foundation board for Mana Tiaki. Kura is the link to Ngati Toa and she and her family have given great service to Mana Tiaki.
Her son Stacey worked as the Office Manager for Mana Tiaki and son Ammon was a valued member of Te Poutokomanawa.
TANIA FORREST
Tania has been part of the Mana Tiaki journey since its early inception and subsequent formation of incorporated society status in 2004. Residing in Porirua Tania and her whanau wanted easy access to kapahaka.
'I think there are a lot of mokemoke whanau out there.
I joined Mana Tiaki through my kids who did it at school. Kapahaka is the foundation of so much more. Like many whanau in our communities, our tamariki are products of how little or much we know about te ao Maori. For me and my whanau we have very limited access to cultural resources such as reo, waiata, marae, turangawaewae and iwi, hapu whanau connections. Mana Tiaki has provided that bridge.
It’s awesome to watch my kids get up say their pepeha and waiata, karakia, and korero Maori. They know so much more than I do.
As a parent I found the connection with other kapahaka parents hugely rewarding. When you are busy working, it’s really difficult to establish and maintain those neighbourhood and whanau connections. The support was awesome: We prepared hangi, went on marae trips, ate together, looked after each other’s kids, and just hung out.
Mana Tiaki supports the collective approach rather than the individual whanau concept. Even though my kids don’t attend kapahaka any longer I know that Mana Tiaki is a definite imprint on our whanau journey and our strive to be the best we can be.'