HOHEPA MOHI HENARE
Taiao Ranger ki Tamaki ki te Tonga
Kia ora, ko Hohepa tōku ingoa. Nō Ngāti Kahu, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Maniapoto me Te Ati Haunui a Pāpārangi tōku taha pāpā. Nō Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Rangiwewehi me Tūwharetoa tōku taha mā mā. Ko au tēnā, a proud descendant of these whakapapa, carrying their wisdom into my mahi at Te Pu-a Nga Maara.
Kia hora te marino, kia whakapapa pounamu te moana, kia tere te kārohirohi i mua i tō huarahi. May peace be widespread, the sea glisten like pounamu, and the shimmer of light dance before your path. This whakataukī guides me to seek harmony and clarity in all I do for our Taiao and our people.
My whānau are my greatest strength and my unwavering supporters. They ground me, inspire me, and remind me of the legacy we’re building together for our Taiao and future generations.
I dream of restoring at least 50% of our native bush, creating a vibrant, healthy environment that nurtures our entire ecosystem. At the heart of this vision is mātauranga Māori, which weaves the interconnectedness of people and nature into every action. Ka mate te taiao, ka mate te tangata. Ka ora te taiao, ka ora te iwi—when nature thrives, so do we. By blending Māori knowledge with modern approaches, we can ensure a flourishing future for our whenua, our people, and all living beings.
Being immersed in our Taiao, surrounded by the whenua and wai, is grounding and humbling. But what truly lights my soul is working through a Māori lens. It’s more than restoration—honouring the whakapapa of the land, the waterways, and all living things. We don’t just care for the taiao; we see it as our tūpuna, ancestors, and kin. This connection brings depth and purpose to every moment of our mahi.