Rangitāne o Wairarapa Inc.
Our People
"Te Hāmua"
12 Cornwall Pl
PO Box 354
Masterton
Ph: 06 370 0600
Fax: 06 378 8653
Jim Rimene - Kaumātua. Historian
Rangitāne, Ngāti Whakaue
Uncle Jim brings to our organisation the research grounded historic knowledge of years past and philosophical wisdom much needed in the present. We are fortunate to have Uncle Jim guiding us and making sure we maintain focus on providing services that positively contribute to our people – now, and for generations to come.
row.jim@xtra.co.nz
Merle Te Tau – Office Administrator
Rangitāne
Merle is the administrative heart of the organisation and has been a very important part of the place since 1998. Prior to this she was a full-time Mum.
As your first point of contact, Merle will do her utmost to answer your queries and/or refer you to the appropriate staff member. In this place, if Merle doesn’t know it, it’s not worth knowing.
row.merle@xtra.co.nz
Horipo (Dane) Rimene – Resource Consent Advisor
Rangitāne
Dane is multi-talented and his role is multi-faceted. He is our Resource Consent Advisor and represents Rangitāne o Wairarapa on the Ara Tahi, GWRC Māori Committee. Dane sits on the South Wairarapa District Council Māori Standing Committee, he is a researcher - primarily on whakapapa and land interests, he is authorised to issue diving/fishing permits for the gathering of kaimoana and at times he is called on by Kaumātua and Kuia as a chauffeur.
Mike Kawana – Cultural Services Advisor
Ngāti Hāmua, Rangitāne
Mike works alongside our koroua and kuia to ensure that Tikanga Rangitāne and Kawa Rangitāne are utilised effectively at hui, eg. pōhiri, mihi whakatau, performing rites like blessings and the like throughout the Wairarapa area. Mike, Horipo (Dane) and Uncle Jim are the Rangitāne authorised issuers of approval papers for the gathering of kaimoana on the Wairarapa coastline.
Mike is also a prolific composer, musician, and performer of all forms of Māori performing arts.
row.mike@xtra.co.nz
Ray Kawana – Social Worker in Schools
Rangitāne, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Whakaue
Ray worked for the Child, Adolescent and Family Service at Masterton hospital as a Māori Mental Health Professional for six years. He has also worked for Child, Youth and Family Services as a Care and Protection Social worker before taking up his current position with us as Social Worker in Schools. He is the Senior Social Worker on the Rangitāne o Wairarapa Social Services team and provides leadership and guidance to our Social Services staff.
Sarah Love – Whanāu Worker
Ngāti Te Whiti – Te Ati Awa
Sarah provides a whānau focused support service that includes: parenting; building relationships; mentoring and counselling for people affected by domestic violence and seeks to empower and assist people to resolve the issues they face. Sarah advocates for and advises people when dealing with CYFS, WINZ, Lawyers and other official organisations.
Brad Martin
Brad has worked at Rangitāne o Wairarapa Inc. for the past four (4) years and has been employed as a Social Worker and Programme Coordinator. Brad is employed for 20hrs per week and has a background in social work and teaching. His passions are his family and Art. Brad is a strong advocate for youth and whānau and brings these important elements to our Social Services team comprised of Ray, Brad and Sarah. 
Hone Hurihanganui – Managing Director
Ngāti Tahu, Ngāti Whaoa, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Whakaue
Hone started as Managing Director in March 2006. Hone taught Te Reo Māori me ōna Tikanga and Māori Performing Arts here in Masterton for 11 years and he and his wife Shelley (Rutene) and their children return to us after 6 years away, Hone having spent time in senior management positions across the education sector from HOD Māori at Te Aute College to Director of Indigenous Development at Whitireia Polytechnic.
row.hone@xtra.co.nz
Reihana Rimene – Pouako – Te Ara Reo Māori (Te Wānanga o Aotearoa)
Rangitane, Ngati Whakaue
Reihana has been employed with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa for 2 years providing Te Reo Māori that fits best the aspirations of this generation, enhances the dreams of future generations and prepares people for understanding the essence of past generations. Reihana hopes to “… equip our people with knowledge of their heritage, their language and their culture.”
Cheryl Tepu – Assistant Reo Māori Tutor
Ngāti Maniapoto, Tūhoe
Cheryl provides assistance to the Pouako of Te Ara Reo Māori, Reihana, in the delivery of the Te Wānanga o Aotearoa programme through Ako Whakatere – Accelerated Learning methodologies and techniques. Cheryl assists students to gain a better understanding of Māori philosophy and tikanga. Cheryl also assists the teaching and development of the kapahaka Te Puke ki Hikurangi based at Pāpāwai Marae.