I have been a Trustee of Tāheke Marae since 2012, in which I have held multiple positions within the Trust Board. Most recently the Chairperson, Booking officer, and Project Manager for MARAE DIY and PGF – the revamp and redesign of wharekai. 

I have been able to bring some skill base and knowledge to develop the whānau, hapū and marae into a common place of excellence.

Born and raised in a community setting has developed me into the person I am today, the understanding of Tikanga Māori and Te Ao Māori practices has created the fundamentals of who I am, and what I believe in.

I look forward to the 3 years of working with our new board, whānau, hapū and marae.

Ehara tāku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini

Roles:

• Tāheke Marae Trustee

• Tāheke Marae Chairperson

• Tāheke Marae Booking Officer

• Kaupapa: Te Pou Tākoha, Te Pou Tuakiri

Dad's Parents were Hone and Ngapera (nee Puru) REIHANA RUKA

Mums Parents were Sydney and Charlotte (nee Tawhai) COPE

My Parents are TAHEKE and RITA Reihana Ruka and from them I've embraced Tikanga and Manaakitanga.

I have been living on my tupuna lands in Tāheke with my wife Te Aroha for over 22 years and together stand steadfast for our family.  All our adult children and our grand children were raised,born and remain here and in the area and are never far from home.

I have an indepth knowledge of Tāheke from fishing the creeks,horse riding,hunting and for my job doing earthworks at the Mangatoa Land Courp Farm to Waima and Otaua Pine Forests. In the mid 80's I lived here with my uncle and namesake Piripi Cope and was made to help with most aspects of both Marae and Cemetery for funerals doing grave digging, firewood, home kills, diving and working bees. Those learnings gave me pride and a sense of belonging that I applied in my everyday life and re-implemented when we move back to Tāheke. 

I have done free Te Reo lessons, kapahaka, headed a Māori land navigation programe, joined Māori wardens and a hapū wai claims team with a focus to the hapū settlement processes and local environmental issues. I use to be anti trust and was hesitant to, but I accepted the nomination to be a Tāheke Marae Trustee in 2012 and 10 years on I am very humbled to have been amongst the previous and now the current new trustees and looking forward to the joint beneficiary effort and journey ahead of us.

"Ka whakatau i to te taumata, ka uu ake tonu te whare kōrero"...."Ka whāngai i to te ringawera me te hapai, ka uu ake tonu te whare kai kōrero". 

Roles:

• Tāheke Marae Trustee

• Tāheke Marae Deputy Chairperson

• Kaupapa: Te Pou Tuakiri

Tēnā koutou katoa

Te Hiwi Tupoto

Te Hauauru - Thomas John Birch (Tame Roa)

Walter Birch (brother to William Birch) - Celia Auretia Bennett

Te Hiwi Birch (grandfather)

Te Hiwi Birch (father) 

Roles:

• Tāheke Marae Trustee

• Kaupapa: Te Pou Marae

Roles:

• Tāheke Marae Trustee

• Kaupapa: Te Pou Hononga 

Roles

• Tāheke Marae Trustee

• Kaupapa: Te Pou Ture, Te Pou Marae

Roles

• Tāheke Marae Trustee

• Whare Kai

Tēnā tātou

I share the origins of my sister Candy Cassidy-Ellice (current Marae Trustee and Treasurer). Our  connection to Tāheke is through our father William (Bill) Hoete Cassidy and his 7 brothers and 8 sisters. Dad was born in Tāheke, walked to school in Waima, and served in the Navy during WWII.

Our grandparents are Pop (Tamahou) and Mokoma (Rangitukia Harris) Cassidy and Pop’s parents; our great grandparents; are Kataraina Birch (Karani Ka) and Hohepa Taupaki Katete (Cassidy). We understand that our Dad spent a lot of time with his Karani Ka.

Our dearly departed Mum, is Anataia (née Pirini) Cassidy.  She was born in Pawarenga and raised in Mangamuka. Ours is a family of 4 brothers and 3 sisters. I have helped to raise 5 adult children, from whom there are 13 grandchildren. 

I now live in Whangārei and I’m kept busy working remotely for an Auckland manufacturer. My background is in the supply and installation of a broad range of commercial and industrial doors, most typically large format Roller Shutters for manufacturers and warehouses.

Our Dad, and his siblings, have worked long and hard for Tāheke. I will add my contribution by working with our whanaunga, to achieve the goals and objectives for our marae and whānau.

Roles

• Tāheke Marae Trustee

• Kaupapa: Te Pou Marae