Plans & Publications » Your environment - are we on the right track » What's Te Upoko Taiao?

What's Te Upoko Taiao?

The development of the new regional plan is being overseen by the Te Upoko Taiao - Natural Resource Management Committee. The Committee comprises seven elected Greater Wellington councillors and seven appointed members from the region's mana whenua (see the table below).

The Local Government Act includes several provisions that require councils to take account of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi by maintaining and improving opportunities for Māori to contribute to local government decision making. Most regional, city and district councils have some kind of formal mechanism for involving local iwi.

The GWRC already has a Charter of Understanding signed by the seven iwi in the region and has an active relationship with these iwi. Each of them has a different rohe and each was invited to nominate somebody with the skills that the new committee requires.

All members of this committee will ensure that all voices are heard. Although the Maori members have been nominated by the region’s “mana whenua” iwi, like the seven elected Councillor members, their role is to ensure that the new plan provides for the region as whole.

Te Upoko Taiao Councillor members

  • Cr Chris Laidlaw- Co-Chair
  • Cr Judith Aitken
  • Cr Barbara Donaldson
  • Cr Peter Glensor
  • Cr Daran Ponter
  • Cr Fran Wilde
  • Cr Nigel Wilson

 

Te Upoko Taiao (non councillor) appointees

Te Waari Carkeek - Co-Chair

Iwi Affiliations: Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngāti Toarangatira

 
  • Currently Tumuaki (Chairman) of Te Rūnanga o Raukawa Inc
  • Chairman of Ara Tahi
  • Chairman Te Whakaminenga o Kapiti
  • Certified Independent Hearings Commissioner
  • Qualified Assessor for Adult Learners
  • Tour guide for Kapiti Island Alive Nature Lodge and Rangiatea Church
  • A recognised exponent of Moteatea and a Historian for his people
  • Recipient of an Otaki/Porirua Trust Board scholarship as one of the first participants (1975) in Te Whakatupuranga Ruamano (Generation 2000)

 

David Rawiri Evans

Iwi Affiliations: Te Ati Awa

  • Currently senior policy analyst (Māori Population Health) Ministry of Health
  • Member of Te Awakairangi Regional Health Board
  • Trustee PHO Ropata Board
  • Iwi Liaison Psycho Geriatric Hospital
  • Board member Te Reo Marama
  • Member of the Board of Directors Ati Awa Toa FM
  • Vice Chairman of Wellington Māori Rugby
  • Foundation member of Matua Raki
  • Welltrust Board member
  • Hutt City Council appointed board member of the Vibe Trust

 

Rebecca Elizabeth (Liz) Mellish

Iwi Affiliations:  Te Ati Awa, Ngāti Ruanui, Taranaki and Ngāti Tama

  • Currently contracted Executive officer with the Wellington Tenths Trust and the Palmerston North Māori Reserve
  • Trustee Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust
  • Certified Independent Hearings Commissioner
  • Government appointee to Wairarapa District Health Board
  • Committee member Capital and Coast District Health Board’s Disability Services Advisory Committee
  • Trustee for Matiu/Somes Island

 

 Te Rira (Teri) Puketapu

 Iwi Affiliations:  Te Ati Awa

Currently employed by Te Rūnanganui o Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o te Ika a Maui Inc
      

  • Member of Ara Tahi
  • Member of GW Hutt River Advisory Subcommittee and the Waiwhetu Stream Advisory Subcommittee
  • Former Hutt City Councillor (1974 – 1992) and Deputy Mayor
  • Former Chair of Hutt City Housing, Property and Health Committee
  • First person of Māori descent to sit around the Hutt City Council table
  • Member of former GW Parks, Forests and Utilities Committee

 

Rawiri Smith

Iwi Affiliations: Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa

  • Currently studying for Masters degree
  • Member of Ara Tahi
  • Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Iwi Researcher and Cultural Impact Assessor
  • Chair He Kahui Wairarapa Inc
  • Facilitator of Te Kotahitanga Wairarapa hapū/marae collective
  • Former secondary school English teacher

 

Elizabeth Ann (Liz) Burge

Iwi Affiliations: Rangitāne o Wairarapa (Whangai)

  • Currently resource management planner
  • Rangitāne o Wairarapa historical research for the Waitangi Tribunal Claim and Māori Research Management Planner
  • Certified Independent Hearings Commissioner
  • Former member of Ara Tahi, MDC Māori Liaison Task Group, SWDC Māori Standing Committee and CDC Māori Consultative Group
  • Former member of Wellington Conservation Board
  • Considered whängai of Rangitāne o Wairarapa

 

Rawiri Faulkner

Iwi Affiliations: Ngāti Toarangatira, Ngāti Huia, Ngāti Whakaue

  • Currently General Manager at GNS Science (A Crown Research Institute)
  • Certified Independent Hearings Commissioner
  • Graduate of the Institute of Directors ‘Certificate of Company Direction’ Course
  • Member of The Institute of Directors
  • Former Board Chair of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Mokopuna
  • Trustee for Orotokare Trust
  • Worked with a number of iwi groups to develop natural resource tools and plans

Agendas for the committee meetings are published on this website two days before the meeting. Click here for a meeting calendar and agendas.

 

Back to top