Inaugural Māori Wardens Modernisation Working Group hui

Following on from the National Māori Wardens Conference in July, where a landmark vote took place to move towards increased autonomy, the inaugural Māori Wardens Modernisation Working Group held their first hui on Thursday 5 September in Wellington.

Published: Friday, 6 September 2019 | Rāmere, 06 Mahuru, 2019

“This is an exciting time for the Māori Wardens and I look forward to receiving the Working Group’s advice on how Māori Wardens will confidently take these first steps towards their new future,” says Minister Mahuta.

The Working Group is made up of representatives from 15 Māori Warden Districts, New Zealand Māori Council, New Zealand Police and Te Puni Kōkiri.

Working Group Members

The members of the Māori Wardens Modernisation Working Group (MWMWG) are:

Elected members

  • Carol Te Huna (Māori Wardens Aotea District)
  • Susan Hana King (Māori Wardens Hauraki District)
  • Georgina Cribb) Māori Wardens Maniapoto District)
  • Noeline Smiler (Māori Wardens Pōneke District)
  • Jordan Winiata (Māori Wardens Raukawa District)
  • Owen Lloyd (Māori Wardens Tairāwhiti District)
  • Monica Watson (Māori Wardens Tākitimu District)
  • Taka Hei (Māori Wardens Taitokerau District)
  • Constance Hughes (Māori Wardens Tāmaki District)
  • Matarora Smith (Māori Wardens Tāmaki Ki Te Tonga District)
  • Sophie Te Moni (Māori Wardens Tauranga Moana District)
  • Verna Barrett (Māori Wardens Te Tau Ihu District)
  • ­Mandy Reti (Māori Wardens Te Waipounamu District)
  • Gloria Hughes (Māori Wardens Waiariki  District)
  • Tina Drummond (Māori Wardens Waikato District)

Non-voting official members

  • Henare Mason (New Zealand Māori Council, Deputy Chair)
  • Matt Tukaki (New Zealand Māori Council, Executive Director)
  • Wayne Panapa (NZ Police)
  • John Tangaere (NZ Police)
  • Te Rau Clarke (Te Puni Kōkiri)
  • Pareaute Panapa-Solomon (Te Puni Kōkiri)

The purpose of the Māori Wardens Modernisation Working Group is to provide advice to the Minister for Māori Development on how and when the selected Māori Wardens Modernisation options can be implemented.

Terms of Reference

Their Terms of Reference will be made available soon via the Te Puni Kōkiri website – www.tpk.nz/maoriwardens

Hui dates

  • Early September 2019 (held)
  • Mid October 2019
  • Late November 2019
  • Mid February 2020
  • Late March 2020