Waipā District Council says the call for a young aspiring Māori leader to join the national Tuia Leadership Programme has been answered by Tane Aruka Te Aho.
The programme selects gifted rangatahi Māori who have ambition to contribute and better their community. It aims to develop leadership through one-on-one mentoring with Waipā Mayor, Susan O’Regan.
The Mayor said Mr Te Aho’s application stood out because of his passion and dedication to his Māori studies, language and culture.
He speaks fluent Te Reo Māori and is due to complete his degree in Te Reo Māori and Māori Development this year. This follows his Te Tohu Patahi Diploma in total Te Reo Maori immersion in 2022.
“Tane is no stranger to leadership. When I met him in January, over a video call, he was in Taiwan for a Prime Minister’s indigenous exchange scholarship. He also has experience working with his iwi Ngāti Korokī Kahukura and tutoring Te Tohu Paetahi, Māori and Indigenous Studies at University of Waikato,” Mayor O’Regan said.
Mr Te Aho says he applied for the Tuia programme to continue seeking opportunities for mentoring, grow his leadership skills and meet new people.
“I am passionate about working with and learning from like-minded people who serve our whānau, hapū, iwi and other communities. I am looking forward to networking with other leaders and learning from their experiences,” he said.
The Tuia programme sees young people across the country working with mayors and councils, sharing their views and concerns, and contributing to actively improve their community.
Last year’s leader, Maude Rewha, presented her personal growth, journey and learnings through the 12-month mentoring programme with councillors in February. It included replanting gardens for Napier families impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle and giving back to her community by coaching the Te Awamutu College Boys Volleyball team.
