Suz Te Tai – Tupuna Representative for Te Hikuwai Harewene

Whe – Ruahine
Parehuia – Captain Sullivan
Te Hikuwai – Mereana Kawhena
Turi – Raiha Hapa
Hone Hapa – Bertha Shedlock
Judy – Harepo Te Tai
Suz Te Tai

Suz is currently the Chair of the Karetu Maori Committee and a Trustee of Te Mana Moana o Ngati Manu Trust, Te Mana Moana o Ngati Rongo ki Mahurangi Trust and the Ngati Manu Rangatira Trust.

She is also a Pakaiahi (Kaiwhakahaere Matua) of the new and innovative Nga Kaitiaki o te Ahi marae-based programme at Karetu Marae.

In 2014 she completed Te Tohu Huanga Maori (PGDipBus Māori Development) at the University of Auckland Business School to be of assistance to our
people. She is a keen outdoors advocate weaving experiences based in and caring for the taiao, an avid gardener and fisherwoman.

Scott Smith

Kia Ora Kotou Katoa,
Ko Scott Smith toku ingoa
No Karetu ahau

I am privileged to be the Ngāti Manu representative for Te Whakaaetanga Trust and look forward to the empowerment that this will help bring to Ngāti Manu Hapu and Nga Hapu Te Whakaaetanga. The betterment of our people is what drives us in this process and is our common goal.

I am actively part of our marae committee and one of our Tupuna reps for Tahuhunui O Ngāti Manu proudly representing our Iritana whanau line.

Ka puta mai a Iritana
Ka moe a Hori Wynyard
Ka puta mai a Ihipera Wynyard
Ka moe a Kauhoa Harawene
Ka puta mai a Turi Harawene
Ka moe a Raiha Hapa
Ka puta mai a Ihipera Harawene
Ka moe a Tom Smith
Ka puta mai a Haki Smith
Ka moe a Margaret Glensor
Ka puta mai au.

I was raised in Karetu and although for a while I worked away in Auckland, I always had a draw or need to be home to be able to contribute more for my Hapu and after a decision to move home and then a gentle nudge from Dad I was soon a regular at all our marae hui. It is a privilege to be in the position I am and although it is not always an easy road it is one that I am drawn to and will strive to do my best always for our whanau.

Kelly Wedekind

Tena Koutou Katoa

Ko au te kaikoreo I taku whaea tupuna ko Ngahani Pomare
Ko Ngahani te tamahine o Pomare te tuarua
Ka moe  tuatoru a Pomare te tuarua ia Te Paenga
Ka puta ko Ngahani Pomare
Ka puta ko Atareta Katene
Ka moe ia a Dan Munn
Ka puta ko James Munn
Ka moe ia a Ihapera Johnson
Ka puta ko Len Munn
Ka moe tuatahi ia Margaret Fleming
Ka put ko Colleen Munn
Ka moe ia a Peter Batistich
Ka puta tuatoru main ko ahu, Kelly Wedekind taku ingoa

Na tena koutou katoa

I am currently the Treasurer of the Karetu Maori Committee and a Trustee of Te Mana Moana o Ngati Manu Trust, and Te Whakaaetanga Trust.

I am a mum of two, with a background in banking and accounting.

I completed my business degree and postgraduate diploma while working full time in an accounting firm from July 2007 and attained my Certificate of Public Practice in March 2021. This skill set I bring to the table.

Professional qualifications and memberships include: 

• Bachelor of Business Degree – Accounting Major
• Chartered Accountant with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
• Certificate of Public Practice

Community / Marae / Whanau based projects: 

• Treasurer for Ngati Manu Marae, Karetu
• Whanau representative for Ngahani Pomare on Te Tahuhu Nui o Ngati Manu
• Tahuhu Nui o Ngati Manu representative, Treasurer and Trustee on Te Whakaaetanga Trust (large natural grouping with Ngāti Manu, Patukeha, Ngati Kuta, Ngati Torehina ki Mataka)
• Previous treasurer for Paihia Sea Scouts
• Pro bono Accountant for Mid North Victim Support Group Kaikohe
• Trustee for Far North Resilient Communities Charitable Trust.