The role of the Regional Coordinator is to promote Māori Wardens with various agencies within their region, build relationships with local Councils, and assist sub-associations with funding, training and development, recruitment and resourcing.

Regional Coordinators are available to provide information about uniforms, training, funding, vehicles and vehicle use and events coming up in the region.

Regional Coordinators can assist sub-associations and Māori Wardens maintain and deliver a quality voluntary service within their communities.

To contact your local Regional Coordinator, see below.

	Richard (Dick) Shepherd (Ngāpuhi), is the Regional Coordinator for the Whāngarei Regional centre encompassing Te Tai Tokerau and is based in Whāngarei. He has been in the role for around three years and comes from a community development background. As regional Coordinator he believes in helping Māori Warden sub-associations build capacity and capability within their own rohe to eventually put him out of a job. “Māori Wardens are a wonderful service to our communities and are sometimes undervalued and over used. I believe that Māori Wardens will be part of the whole social development of Māoridom". Telephone: 027 231 4291   Email: shepr@tpk.govt.nz
	Marie-Anne Selkirk (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou) is the Regional Coordinator for the Tāmaki Makaurau region. Her rohe spans from Mercer in the Waikato, to Wellsford in Te Taitokerau. Māori Wardens have been a wonderful support for whānau, marae and communities over many decades. As Regional Coordinator, Marie-Anne sees her role as working alongside wardens to achieve their goals and dreams – Aroha ki te Tāngata, as they adapt to changing circumstances and new opportunities. “It’s wonderful to be creative and find a place where everyone can use the strengths they have, to give exemplary service in many different ways.” Telephone: 027 281 0829   Email: selkm@tpk.govt.nz
	Ruka Hughes (Ngāti Rongomai) is the Regional Coordinator for the Rotorua and Hamilton regional centres and covers Waikato, Hauraki, Waiariki, Bay of Plenty. Prior to there being an Auckland Regional Coordinator, Ruka stood in as RC for the Auckland Region. He has been a Māori Warden since 2003 and enjoyed being involved at all levels of service. As regional Coordinator he is passionate that the Māori Wardens collectivise and work towards safer communities. “I’d like to see more growth in reducing crime and violence in our communities and for Māori Wardens to continue to provide support to parents, kaumatua and get more support from Government Agencies”. Telephone: 027 296 9425 Email: hughr@tpk.govt.nz
	Diana Kawana (Ngā Wairiki) is the Regional Coordinator for the Wellington Regional Centre covering Manawatu, Horowhenua, Kāpiti and Wellington and is based in Palmerston North. She has been in the role for a year and has a background in education. As Regional Coordinator she wants to provide the utmost support to all Māori Wardens by providing self development courses, renewing expired warrants, and support Wardens by providing resources to actively provide a better service to their iwi and hapū, whānau and mokopuna. “I’d like to see the Māori Wardens movement to be an autonomous entity, run by Māori Wardens, for it to be structurally and strategically sound. I’d also like it to be a tāonga for our Mokopuna”. Telephone: 027 415 9837  Email: kawad@tpk.govt.nz
	Wayne Seeley (Ngāpuhi) is the Regional Coordinator for the Whanganui regional centre covering the Whanganui, Taranaki, Rangitikei and Ruapehu districts. He has been a Māori Warden for 22 years and worked with the District Māori Council. As Regional Coordinator he is happy to be doing something for Māori Wardens in his region. He wants to see Māori Wardens valued more within their community and do professional development as an acknowledgement of this. “I’d also like the Māori Wardens to be paid for what they do; it would really boost their morale and give them confidence that what they are doing really is a wonderful service to the community.” Telephone: 027 415 9651  Email: seelw@tpk.govt.nz
	Robert Whaitiri (Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Kahungunu) is the Regional Coordinator for the Gisborne and Hastings regional centres covering Tairāwhiti, Heretaunga (Hawkes Bay) and Wairarapa. Through his role as Regional Coordinator Robert wants to help unite the various associations to move forward together. “The current structure sees many associations are competing for jobs and for putea. There is strength in numbers and if we can all move forward together and become self sustaining and business orientated including contracted for services, Māori Wardens would be in a much better position to deliver a top quality service”. Telephone: 027 296 9654  Email whair@tpk.govt.nz
	Meikura Taiaroa Arahanga (Kai Tahu, Te Arawa, Ngāti Rangi) is the Regional Coordinator for the Christchurch and Nelson regional centres. Her rohe spans the South Island. She was living in the Wairarapa before returning to Te Waipounamu and now lives in Christchurch. “Returning home to my people where I was born and bred is wonderful and allows my tamariki to return to their hau kainga.” As Regional Coordinator, Meikura sees her role as one that will compliment Māori Wardens’ mahi. She says her main task is to ensure that Māori Wardens are better resourced to carry out the wonderful work they do. For her region, recruitment is also a priority, “I would love to see more Māori Wardens operating within the community because they are great role models for our Rangatahi. Ngā mihi ki a koutou ngā Wātene!” Telephone: 027 415 9951 Email: arahm@tpk.govt.nz

Last modified: 17/04/2012