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Our Team
Providing practical support, advice and advocacy in our community
Alana Hunter
Kaiwhakahaere Matua/Operations Manager
Alana is responsible for overseeing all administrative, financial, and operational activities of the Trust, including managing staff, developing and implementing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations, and working closely with our Board of Trustees to achieve the Trusts strategic objectives. Alana has strong relationships with the team and our Trustees and is well-respected within our Ngāti Rangitihi community. She has a passion for researching whakapapa, a strong understanding and respect of kaupapa Māori, te reo me ona tikanga, and te reo Māori. Alana embodies unity and excellence, making a meaningful impact on the cultural journey of our Iwi.
Linda Bush-Mason
Pou Hapori/Social Lead
Linda Bush is the Pou Hapori for Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi Trust, leading the Trust’s social and community-focused work. She supports the delivery of initiatives that strengthen connections with whānau and the wider community, while ensuring our kaupapa is reflected in how we engage and operate. Linda coordinates community events and wānanga, works closely with partner organisations, and supports the Charitable Trust through governance processes such as hui coordination, board packs, and grant administration. She also helps maintain clear communication with whānau through social media and other channels.
Miria Nicholls
Kaitiaki Pūtea
Miria Nicholls is the Kaitiaki Pūtea for Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi Trust, supporting the financial operations across the Trust and its entities. She manages the day-to-day finances, including accounts, payroll, and reporting, ensuring everything is accurate, timely, and well organised. Working alongside the team, Miria helps with budgeting, tracks programme and grant spending, and ensures payments align with approved decisions. She also maintains clear financial records and supports audit and reporting requirements.
Destiny Wharewera-Mason
Cultural Monitor
Destiny is committed to helping restore and protect our taiao. She comes from a strong environmental background, having previously worked for Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa on a water restoration project (Te Ara-wai Whakahau) to restore the Mauri of the waterways on Ngāti Awa farms. This experience gave her the opportunity to witness firsthand the damage being done to the natural environment, and what can be done to improve it, sparking her passion to work in the best interests of our taiao. Destiny is also pursuing a Bachelor of Environmental Studies, inspired by the arrival of her son. Her goals are be able to live like our tūpuna and create a thriving, self-sufficient community for her kids; to be a voice for her kids, people and tupuna; and to be able to sit and talk at the table with local government and have a genuine relationship where we are fully heard and understood.
Darcy Stoneham
Tiaki Taiao/Assistant Environmental Manager
Paula Robinson-Minarapa
Kaiāwhina/Office Administrator
Darcy Stoneham is the Tiaki Taiao / Assistant Environmental Manager for Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi Trust, supporting the delivery of environmental kaupapa across the rohe. She works closely with the Pou Taiao to advance iwi-led planning, restoration initiatives, and environmental projects. Darcy helps manage funding applications, project delivery, and reporting, while also contributing to environmental planning and policy work. She plays a key role in coordinating projects, maintaining relationships with partners and stakeholders, and ensuring kaupapa are progressing as planned. Through her role, Darcy supports the protection and restoration of our taiao, helping to uphold the mauri of our whenua and waterways for future generations.
Waitangi Clarke
Pou Ahurea/Cultural Lead
At the heart of Waitangi’s role is a dedication to nurturing the cultural richness of Ngāti Rangitihi. Waitangi spearheads initiatives to revitalise Te Reo Māori, encouraging our Iwi to embrace and preserve their language. She organises celebrations of significant days like Waitangi Day and Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, creating vibrant cultural experiences for our community. Waitangi also manages our Iwi database, overseeing the records of nearly 7,000 Ngāti Rangitihi registered members.
Christopher Clarke
Kaitiaki Taiao/Environmental Officer
Christopher reviews technical documents and legislation for resource consents, representing the Ngāti Rangitihi position in line with the Iwi Environmental Management Plan. He also writes submissions for local plans and participates in environmental forums. Christopher supports our Pou Taiao, and plays a crucial role in balancing development with the preservation of the natural environment for present and future generations of Ngāti Rangitihi.
Paula Robinson-Minarapa is our Kaiāwhina, providing essential support across the Trust’s operations. She helps keep things running smoothly day-to-day, from managing office systems and communications to supporting staff, trustees, and whānau. Paula coordinates hui and events, prepares board packs and minutes, and assists with enquiries and correspondence. She also supports the delivery of community initiatives, including supporting the Pou Hapori with grant applications and maintaining schedules and records. Through her role, Paula helps keep everything organised and connected, making it easier for the team to deliver on our kaupapa.
Frances Teinakore-Curtis
Pou Taiao/Environmental Lead
Frances oversees our projects to preserve and restore the delicate ecological balance of our region, including the Tarawera Awa Restoration project – a comprehensive effort to revitalise the mauri of the awa and enhance its surrounding environment. Frances is devoted to our land and water concerns, which aligns well with our overall commitment to the wellbeing of present and future generations of Ngāti Rangitihi.
Simon Costar
Cultural Monitor
Simon is passionate about our taiao. As Cultural Monitor, he is responsible for monitoring and promoting our taonga, our natural resources. He comes from a technical trades background and is focused on delivering the best possible outcomes for our Ngāti Rangitihi community in this space.
Michelle Rawiri
Kaiārahi Taiao
Michelle is the Cultural Monitor Manager for Ngāti Rangitihi, supporting the coordination, training, and development of our cultural monitoring kaupapa across the rohe. Working under the guidance of the Taiao leadership team, she helps align monitoring activities with iwi values, mātauranga, and environmental priorities. Michelle brings strong community experience, a collaborative approach, and a passion for protecting taonga species and culturally significant places. Her focus is on empowering monitors, strengthening cultural practice, and ensuring our iwi voice is upheld through all Taiao mahi.