Board of Trustees

The Ngāti Hinemanu, Ngāi Te Upokoiri me ōna Piringa Hapū Authority is governed by the below elected representatives:

With his connections to Ōmāhu Marae and Waiohiki Marae, Zhane brings a deep commitment to collective leadership, tikanga, and whānau wellbeing. An Anglican Priest and Archdeacon, his calling is inseparable from whakapapa, Te Hāhi Mihinare was the faith gifted to this hapū through their paramount chief Rēnata Kawepō.

Zhane previously served as Pou Tikanga at Te Piringa Hapū, leading the preservation of culture and identity leading our efforts to secure mātauranga Māori, whakapapa and oral histories, restore wāhi tapu, taonga, and the Ōmāhu urupā. That experience gives him a solid understanding of the Te Piringa environment, its people, and what remains to be done. He steps into this trustee role to ensure the voice of Ōmāhu Marae is present where it matters, serving with aroha, unity, and a clear purpose: to strengthen hapū relationships and honour the people and whenua for generations to come.

Rev. Zhane Tiopira Tāhau

He mema hou o Te Poari o Te Piringa i tohu e Ōmāhu Marae

Connor is an uri of Ngāti Hinemanu, with connections to Ōmāhu Marae, Tuahuru Marae and Whakatō Marae amongst others. Connor brings specialist expertise in finance, investment analysis, and economic development, gained through senior roles in Crown fund management and investment banking.

Holding a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and Economics and CFA Levels 1 and 2, he has assessed and managed investment portfolios exceeding $100 million, chaired a Pricing Committee, and received board and ministerial approval on complex investment recommendations. He brings rigorous financial modelling, contract management, and governance reporting capability directly relevant to the Board's stewardship responsibilities.

Connor's connection to this whenua runs deep. When Cyclone Gabrielle struck, he returned home to contribute to the clean-up alongside his people. He steps into this role to honour that whakapapa — committed to Te Piringa's success and to ensuring rangatahi have a strong voice in the decisions that will shape their future.

Connor Goggin

He mema hou o Te Poari o Te Piringa i tohu e Pōkai Rangatahi

Piripi is a respected kaumātua and long-serving contributor to marae and hapū life. A former Chair of Te Āwhina Marae and an active paepae member across the the rohe, Piripi brings lifelong commitment to tikanga, whanaungatanga and community leadership. With experience as an owner-driver and certified bush worker, he offers practical wisdom grounded in service, resilience and manaaki.

Appointed to the Board by Te Kāhui Kaumātua, Piripi holds the position of Te Ūpoko; a role established to ensure a strong kaumātua voice, cultural guide and support to the Board and across the organisation. Piripi is a strong advocate for te reo who regularly speaks on the marae. He serves to tautoko whānau, strengthen marae and uphold kaupapa Māori values that guide and uplift our people. He is also a member of Te Komiti Whakahonohono, the marae appointed group who review and affirm registrations

Phillip(Piripi) Hanara

He mema hou o Te Poari o Te Piringa i tohu e Te Kāhui Kaumātua

Te Ūpoko

Financial Trustee

Board Chair

Raised on Hakiwai Road at Ōmāhu, Lawrence is connected to Ōmāhu Marae, the place that has always been home. Lawrence has two adult children; Hoani and Keita.

Lawrence brings over three decades of professional experience in journalism, including senior editorial leadership as Deputy News Editor at Newstalk ZB. He now serves his people through Radio Kahungunu, producing the Breakfast Show — work grounded in his core belief that people deserve the knowledge and understanding they need to make good decisions. A strong communicator, good listener, and tireless advocate for whānau, Lawrence understands how to hold space for people and ensure their voices are heard.

Although new to governance, Lawrence accepted his nomination because his obligation is simple and clear: to help Ōmāhu. After 34 years away, he is home, and ready to contribute.

Lawrence Hakiwai

He mema hou o Te Poari o Te Piringa i tohu e ngā Hapū

In addition to her whakapapa links through her Te Rito whānau, Vanessa has deep and longstanding connections to hapū and iwi of Te Whanganui-ā-Tara and beyond. She has two adult sons, Finley Johnson and Lewis Johnson.

An experienced Board governor and Chair, and a specialist in end-of-life care for Māori, Vanessa brings over a decade of executive, strategic, and community leadership across health and Māori development. Her long experience walking alongside whānau through the most sacred of transitions is matched by deep expertise in kaupapa Māori frameworks, health equity, professional supervision, and national policy. An experienced project manager, she is also actively engaged in Māori economic development, bringing a broad and integrated view of what it means for our people to truly flourish. She has contributed directly to cyclone recovery work with hapū in Hastings.

Vanessa seeks to serve Te Piringa because her purpose is simple: growing the capability and wellbeing of whānau Māori. She brings innovation, networks, and a deep belief that tūpuna-led, mātauranga-rich environments are where our people flourish.

Vanessa Eldridge

He mema hou o Te Poari o Te Piringa i tohu e ngā Hapū

Board Deputy Chair

Amiria has connections to Ōmāhu, Moteo and Wharerangi Marae that ground her in community; she is guided by a deep commitment to whānau and whenua. Amiria brings practical experience across administration, financial management, early childhood education, and community service.

Her background spans office management, payroll, auditing compliance, and hands-on labour reflecting a rangatahi who is versatile, hardworking, and unafraid to roll up her sleeves. She is an eager and capable learner, ready to grow her governance skills in service of her hapū.

Amiria seeks to serve Te Piringa because she sees a gap where too many rangatahi her age are disconnected from the decisions that shape their future. She steps forward to bridge that divide, drawing kaumātua and rangatahi together in shared purpose, so that whakapapa, whenua, and mana endure for generations to come.

Amiria Tamati

He mema hou o Te Poari o Te Piringa i tohu e Rūnanga Marae

Natasha is a proud uri of Ngāti Hinemanu, Ngāi Te Upokoiri me ōna piringa hapū, passionate about strengthening the moemoeā and wellbeing of the hapū and its descendants.

She is a current Interim Trustee of the Ngāti Hinemanu, Ngāi Te Upokoiri me ōna Piringa Hapū Authority Trust and Trustee of the Te Awhina Marae, having previously served as TPH Board Chair.  Her governance experience spans the Ōmāhu School Board of Trustees and the Heretaunga Tamatea Treaty Settlement Trust.

Natasha is a committed member of Ngā Upokororo o Tū Mau Rākau Peka, valuing the cultural grounding of Te Mātauranga o Te Whare Tū Taua.  Cyclone Gabrielle deepended her governance leadership in adversity.  She serves with integrity, humility and dedication to the future of our uri.

Natasha Hanara

He tūnga hou o Te Poari o Te Piringa i tohu e Te Awhina Marae