Our People

Kia whakamana, kia whakakaha, kia whakapiki i te iwi.

Tā Tamati Muturangi Reedy and
Kahurangi Tilly Te Koingo Reedy

Tā Tamati and Kahurangi Tilly Reedy both Ngati Porou, were both Educationists and Academics making significant contribution to Maori Education, Kohanga Reo and the design of curriculum in Maori Medium, contributing to the draft of ‘Te Whariki’. Tā Tamati has been honoured as ‘Young Māori Man of the Year 1972’ and 1990 New Zealand Commemoration Medal.

Te Huinga Tākaro o Aotearoa are honoured to have been named by Tā Tamati and Lady Tilly, in reference to the ‘gathering of Māori Sports’ together.

They have eight children together. Ta Tamati was a Fullright Scholar and an Associate Professor at University of Alabama and later a Foundation Dean and  Professor of the Maori and Pacific Development at the University of Waikato. Tamati was a keen sportsman. Tamati was a Maori All Black, representing East Coast and Thames Valley, he was a tennis player and a Marathon runner. Both Tamati and Tilly have been long time supporters of He Tohu Tākaro o Aotearoa – Māori Sports Awards and have  both worked tirelessly for the achievement of Māori.

June Mariu DNZM, QSM, JP

Te Whānau-a-Apanui, Ngāti Porou – A Community Leader, Teacher, Sportswoman and ‘Auntie June’ to many.

Whaea June represented NZ in two sporting codes. Netball, first winning Captain and first Māori Captain of a National Netball Team. She represented NZ in Indoor Basketball and played regional softball. Whaea June was inducted into the Māori Sports Awards Hall of Fame in 2014.

Whaea June served as Māori Women’s Welfare League President 1987-1999. A Health Report – Rapuora – Health and Māori Women, by Dr Irihapeti Rehu-Murchie in 1987, was the catalysis for the implementation of Aotearoa Maori Netball Oranga Healthy Lifestyles (1988). Whaea June was the National Māori Netball Co-ordinator for many years.

A humble, hardworking, role model, involved in all areas of the Community in West Auckland, Hoani Waititi Marae,  Te Whānau Waipareira, and her beloved Rutherford College and Kapa haka Group – Te Kotuku.

Working Group

Carol Ngawati  OMNZ (Ngati Porou,) – Māori Touch NZ

Dick (Richard) Garratt MNZM (Ngāi Tūhoe) – Māori Sport Awards/Aotearoa Māori Tennis.

John Cribb – Maori Golf/Maori Rugby

Mark Tito (Ngā Puhi) – Māori Golf

Rangimarie Parata-Takurua (Ngāi Tahu) – Parata Takurua Ltd

Wade Reweti (Te Rarawa) – Māori Basketball

Establishment Board

Mark Tito (Ngā Puhi)– Co Chair

Butch Bradley (Rangitane, Ngāti Rarua, Ngāti Kinohaku) – Co Chair

Carol Ngawati OMNZ (Ngati Porou) – Board Member 

John Cribb – Board Member

Phillip Pickering Parker (Ngati Manawa) – Board Member

2024 Board

Carol Ngawati (Ngāti Porou, Māori Touch NZ) – Chairman OMNZ

Diana Kawana (Nga Wairiki, NZ Māori Hockey)- Board Member

Hera Dancer (Te Aupouri, Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Porou, Aotearoa Maori Netball) – Board Member

Mark Tito (Ngā Puhi, Māori Golf) – Board Member

Michelle Lee (Ngāi Tahu,Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rarua, Te Hapori Hōiho)  – Board Member

Ngākohu Pāpuni (Te Whakatōhea, Ngā Pōtiki, Ngā Puhi, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Pūkenga, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tai, Tainui, Te Whānau ā Apanui, Ngāi Tūhoe- Aotearoa Māori Poirewa) – Board Member

Titia Graham ((Ngāi Tūhoe, Aotearoa Māori Ruby League)- Board Member

Operations Team

Mita Graham (Tainui) – Kaitohutohu