Te Puni Kōkiri pays a special tribute to Hemana Eruera Manuera who is one of many Māori acknowledged in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Hemana works for Te Puni Kōkiri in the Te Moana ā Toi region based in Whakatāne as pouwhakahaere.

“This is a very big mihi to you Hemana. Acknowledgement of your guidance to iwi, hapū, marae and whānau is an example for all of us in both offices of Te Moana ā Toi. We already know and acknowledge the profound and important position you hold amongst us, but to have an acknowledgement from the Queen is very special for your whānau, your iwi and all of Ngāti Awa,” says Te Puni Kōkiri regional director Rachel Jones.

Te Puni Kōkiri Chief Executive Leith Comer says, “I want to acknowledge the huge contribution Hemana has made here at Te Puni Kōkiri and the impact he will continue to make in realising the collective potential of Māori communities in Te Moana ā Toi. Ka nui ngā mihi ki a koe me tō whānau e Hemana.”

Ko Mataatua te waka
Ko Pūtauaki te maunga
Ko Rangitaiki te awa
Ko Ngāti Awa te iwi
Ko Pahipoto te hapū
Ko Kokohinau te marae
Ko Te Teko te takiwā

I pakeke mai a Hemana i TeTeko. Ko ōna mātua ko Tākuta.Eruera Riini Manuera me Te Pareake Kapua Teua. Ko Herataimai Koia tōna hoa rangatira, tokorima ā rāua tamariki, rua tekau mā tahi ā rāua mokopuna, tokowhā ngā mokopuna tuarua.

Hei tā Hemana, “I runga i te hūmarire ōku whakaaro mō tēnei hōnore nunui kua pinea mai ki runga i ahau. Anō hoki ko te hari koa mō te whānau, ngā hapū, ngā iwi, te hapori me Te Puni Kōkiri i whakaruruhau me te awhina i aku mahi.”