Māori Partnership Committee
The purpose of the Māori Partnership Committee is to advocate on behalf of and in the best interests of tāngata whenua in South Wairarapa (including the descendants of hapū of Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa and Rangitāne o Wairarapa) and to ensure the Council is fulfilling its obligations to them.
The Māori Partnership Committee is comprised of two representatives from each of the three South Wairarapa marae, two representatives from Pae Tū Mokai o Tauira, one representative from each of the two Wairarapa Iwi, two councillors and the mayor.
Above: left to right: Gillies Baker – Papawai Marae (Chair), Denise Riwai – Kohunui Marae, Cr Andrea Rutene, J D Smith – Hau Ariki Marae, Karen Mikaera – Pae tū Mōkai o Tauira, Mark Fenwick – Pae tū Mōkai o Tauira (Deputy Chair), Mayor Fran Wilde and Whitu Karauna – Hau Ariki Marae.
Absent: Cr Simone Baker, Dottie Whittaker – Rangitāne o Wairarapa Iwi and Memory Te Whaiti – Kohunui Marae.
One appointment from Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi remains.
Correspondence can be directed to Principal Advisor, Pou Māori (narida.hooper@swdc.govt.nz) or Grants Advisor Lina McManus at grants@swdc.govt.nz or phone 027 214 8500.
Māori Partnership Committee Funding
Funding is currently open for applications, which must be received by 5pm on Sunday 17 May 2026. There is currently $29,017 available in this funding round for allocation to community groups and organisations.
Decisions for these funding applications will be made at the committee meeting on 2 June 2026. Applicants will be invited to attend the meeting and speak to their applications.
Applications should align with at least one of the committee’s four pou – Tautoko, Te Taiao, Whakapapa and Marae Wawata. Applications must also be aligned with the Council’s Grants Policy. If you need more information or have questions, please email: grants@swdc.govt.nz or phone Grants Advisor Lina McManus on 027 214 8500.
The next funding round will open on 17 September and close on 25 October 2026. The amount available in the funding pool will be determined once the Annual Plan has been adopted by the Council. Decisions on funding will be made at the board’s meeting on 17 November 2026.
Māori Partnership Committee funding application PDF
Māori Partnership Committee funding application Word version