Trustee Announcement – Te Nehenehenui welcomes new Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson

Te Nehenehenui welcomes new Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson

FOR RELEASE – Te Kūiti, 12 October 2026

Te Nehenehenui, the post-settlement governance entity for Maniapoto, has appointed Rachael Tuwhangai as Chairperson and Dion Ormsby as Deputy Chairperson of its Trust Board, following the 2026 Ngā Kura Rere elections.

Rachael (Apakura, Hikairo, Waiora, Uekaha, Te Kanawa, Paretekawa, Mōkai Kainga Marae) has served as a generally elected trustee of Te Nehenehenui and, formally, MMTB since August 2021, and is the current Chair of Waihikurangi Trust, the iwi’s charitable arm. Rachael also chairs the Auckland Museum Trust Board and sits on the boards of Northern Health School and Presbyterian Support Northern Social Services. Raised in Ōtorohanga, she is an education consultant, researcher and trained mediator, and a former secondary teacher, university lecturer, and prison education manager.

Dion (Ngāti Paretekawa, Ngāti Te Waha, Ngāti Patupō, Ngāti Te Wehi, Ngāti Maniapoto, marae are Te Mānia Rākaunui, Mangatoatoa and Ōkapu) is the Kura Tau trustee for Te Whare ki Ngā Tai o Kāwhia, carrying the voice of the Kāwhia marae and hapū to the Trust table. Dion has been a Trustee for a year, succeeding the late John Kaati. Dion’s work background includes Pou Ārahi – Cultural advisor, Hauora Māori, Mātauranga Māori, and within the health sector and Corrections.

Te Nehenehenui thanks our outgoing Chairperson Peter Douglas and Deputy Chairperson Bella Takiari-Brame. Over the past three years they led the iwi through the Punga phase of Te Kawau Rukuroa, laying the foundations of our post-settlement future with steadiness, humility, and an unwavering focus on our people.

Under their stewardship, the iwi’s asset base grew from $226 million to $267 million. At the same time they delivered programmes for whānau such as Te Kirikiri, a 40-home development in Te Kūiti, and grew grants and distributions to more than 3,000 grants and $1.4 million returned directly to our people.

Peter, a negotiator of the Maniapoto settlement and former Chief Executive of Te Ohu Kaimoana, brought a lifetime of service to Māori. Bella, Establishment Chairperson of Te Nehenehenui and Interim Chief Executive during the COVID-19 response, was recently appointed Chair of Ahuahu Group Limited, where she continues to advance the iwi’s commercial aspirations.

“Peter and Bella have carried the mana of Maniapoto with great dignity, and we have been extremely fortunate to have them leading us.” says Rachael Tuwhangai

“They leave us a stronger iwi, and Dion and I are humbled to build on the path they have cleared for our mokopuna.”

Please join us in thanking Peter and Bella for their service and welcoming Rachael and Dion as the Chair and Deputy Chair of Te Nehenehenui!