Ko wai mātou

We are named Tangaroa Ara Rau after Tangaroa, one of the deities of the ocean. Tangaroa Ara Rau means the many pathways of Tangaroa and reflects the ever changing pathways and characteristics of the water and the many ways we as whānau engage with the water. We choose to whakamana Tangaroa in all the mahi that we do, to ensure that we as indigenous people continue to connect and engage with the taiao in a way that is meaningful and sustainable for generations of whānau.

Within our team is a collective of Māori water practitioners passionate about kaupapa wai and connecting whānau to the water. Together, we have many years experience in kaupapa Māori research, training and education in water safety, swimming, waka, surfing, freediving, ocean diving, ruku kai, mahinga kai and other water related activities. We are based all around the motu of Aotearoa and currently have three working streams: Waka, ruku and kauora which you can explore through the tab above “Ngā ara rau”.

We understand that there are many more pathways of Tangaroa beyond waka, ruku and kauora. However this is the current capacity we have in our team and welcome you to join us if you have expertise within the area of kaupapa wai.

Ngā Kaihautū - Our leadership group

  • Ngahuia Mita

    Waka Lead

    Ngahuia is a kaumoana on Tairāwhiti waka. She is a Research Fellow for Te Koronga, The Centre of Indigenous Science and Va’a Tautai - The Pacific Health Research Center. She has graduated with her PhD named Tairāwhiti waka, Tairāwhiti tangata exploring Tairāwhiti waka voyaging philosophies.

  • Rob Hewitt

    Ruku Lead

    Rob has a wealth of knowledge and experience with 20 years in the Royal New Zealand Navy, sailing double hull Waka and, his epic story of survival and supporting organisations at a local community, hapū, iwi, and national level.

  • Terina Raureti

    Kauora Lead

    Terina is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow for Te Koronga, The Centre of Indigenous Science. She works with her local community in Ōtaki and their kura creating a kauora programme that works for them. Terina graduated with her PhD titled Kauora: A Theory and Praxis of swimming for Māori.

Tūtaki ki te rōpū - Meet the team

  • Rob Hewitt

    Ngāti Kahungunu

  • Professor Anne-Marie Jackson

    Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu o Whangaroa, Ngāti Wai

  • Flack Whānau

    Kāti Huirapa ki Puketeraki, Karitāne

  • Sam Jackson

    Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu o Whangaroa, Ngāti Wai

  • Ngahuia Mita

    Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Hako

  • Terina Raureti

    Ngāti Kapu, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngāti Rangitihi, Ōtaki

  • Ben Hanara

    Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rangi

  • Te Kahurangi Skelton-Pue

    Taranaki, Te Atiawa, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngati Maru

  • Mitchell Purvis

    Ngāti Pikiao, Te Arawa