New regional council role to support the recognition of Mātauranga Māori
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has appointed Te Kaha Hawaikirangi to the newly created role of Kaihautu Putaiao, to support the recognition and expression of Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) in the Council’s work.
Pieri Munro, Te Pou Whakarae (Māori Partnerships Group Manager) says he’s pleased to welcome Te Kaha back to the Regional Council.
“Te Kaha has local whakapapa, and he is passionate about the cultural and environmental space. After leaving the Regional Council in 2019, he went to the Port of Napier where he supported the development and implementation of a ground-breaking Marine Cultural Monitoring Programme, a partnership with Mana Whenua Hapū.
This programme, incorporating Mātauranga Māori is an example of what we could employ alongside and complementary to Western science," Munro says.
Te Kaha will start back with the Regional Council in the week beginning 30 January 2023 on a permanent part-time basis. He will work two days at Napier Port and three days at Council.
“We’re mindful that Te Kaha’s appointment could be perceived as a conflict of interest given he is related to Regional Council Chair, Hinewai Ormsby. However, the Chair has had no involvement in the recruitment of Te Kaha," Munro says.
“The role was unfilled and there were no applicants when it was advertised in 2022.”
Te Kaha brings a range of skills, knowledge, and previous Council experience that makes him a great fit for this highly specialised role," Munro says.
Te Kaha first started at the Regional Council as an Environmental Officer in June 2013 before being promoted to Project Manager of Environmental Hot Spots in 2018.
Before working for the Regional Council, he worked for the Department of Conservation (DoC) for three years with experience in marine reserves, wetlands, freshwater, and forest lands. Prior to this, he spent five years in the NZ Army.
