Te Karu o Te Ika a Māui Māori Ward candidates

Whitu Karauna

Email: wkarauna@gmail.com
Phone: 027 493 4498

My principal place of residence is in the Te Karu o Te Ika a Maui Māori Ward area.
Kia ora koutou,
I am standing for Te Karu o te Ika Māori Ward to support South Wairarapa District Council in upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensuring the rights of Māori are respected. I’m committed to helping whānau navigate local government with clear, accessible communication.
I’m married to Leanne, who affiliates to Ngāti Hinewaka, Ngāti Rongomaiaia, and Ngāti Hikawera. We have three tamariki and ten mokopuna. Although our children were raised in Mangakino, Waikato, due to historical events affecting Wairarapa Moana and Pouakani relocation, our whānau are committed to reconnecting with their ancestral whenua.
I bring governance experience through five terms on the Mangakino–Pouakani Representative Committee (Taupō District Council), School Boards of Trustees, and as a former Chair of Pouakani Marae during its rebuild (2007–2012). I currently represent Hau Ariki Marae on the South Wairarapa District Council Māori Standing Committee.
Nāku noa, nā
Whitu Karauna

Andrea Rutene

Email: matakitaki25@gmail.com
Phone: 027 278 5054

My principal place of residence is not in the Te Karu o Te Ika a Maui Māori Ward area.
Ka Mua, Ka Muri – Looking back to move forward. This principle guides who I am and how I serve. As a mother, grandmother and proud mokopuna of Iraia Te Whaiti and Kaihau Aporo, my roots are grounded in the whenua of South Wairarapa. These whakapapa ties shape my values, decisions, and aspirations for our people.
For the past five years, I have served on the Māori Standing Committee, including three years as Chair. In this role, I have championed whānau voices, advocated for Māori priorities, and worked to embed tikanga Māori into local decision-making.
Drawing on the wisdom of our tūpuna to meet today’s challenges is central to my leadership. It’s enabled me to foster partnerships, influence policy, and deliver initiatives with lasting impact. We have come too far not to go further. I remain committed to advancing solutions that uphold rangatiratanga and strengthen iwi partnerships for future generations.