Pōhatu Paku

Pōhatu Paku is proud to serve Tamatea Pōkai Whenua and its whānau in Heretaunga Tamatea. 

He is committed to intergenerational service, noting it is a privilege to contribute and serve with integrity, humility, and a long-term vision for Tamatea Pōkai Whenua’s whānau, hapū, and marae. 

 Pōhatu has have served as a Trustee of Tamatea Pōkai Whenua (TPW), the Post-Settlement Governance Entity representing Heretaunga Tamatea, for the past five years, including the last four years as Chair.

 During this tenure, he has helped lead TPW through a significant period of post-settlement growth, strengthening governance, advancing strategic partnerships, and championing initiatives that support the long-term aspirations of the 43 hapū and 23 marae of Heretaunga Tamatea. 

As a collective, his focus has been on protecting settlement commitments, advancing cultural, environmental and economic development, and ensuring the voices of mana whenua are represented in regional and national decision-making.

“Water is fundamental to the wellbeing of our people, our marae, our hapū, and the communities we are connected to. It underpins our cultural identity, environmental health, social wellbeing, and future economic prosperity.”