Board of Trustees
The trust is governed by 15 trustees representing the eleven Affiliates that are elected by their respective hapu/iwi. Representation includes one trustee from nine of the affiliates and the two bigger Affiliates; Tūhourangi and Ngāti Pikiao each have three trustees on the board. The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson are elected by the TPT board. A re-election of trustees occurs every three years, the last re-election was held in 2016.

Karen Vercoe – Chairperson
Ngāti Pikiao
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Robyn Bargh
Ngāti Kearoa Ngāti Tuara
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Merehira Savage
Ngāti Rongomai
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In 2014 Merehira was a Project Manager for Ngati Tuwharetoa Settlement Trust (TST) and is currently contracted with Ngati Tuwharetoa Hapu Forum as Negotiation Support. Merehira believes in a collective vision of wanting to make things happen and whilst strategic sustainability is a critical part of planning, this must have a connection to the aspirations and needs to our people.

Geoff Rice
Ngati Tura/ Ngati Te Ngakau
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Laurance Tamati
Ngati Pikiao
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He currently holds governance positions on a number of Maori land trusts and incorporations, post settlement entities and commercial companies.
Laurance has a Post Graduate Diploma in Business from the University of Auckland.

Roger Pikia
Ngati Tahu Ngati Whaoa
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Wallace Haumaha
Ngati Ngararanui
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Cyrus Hingston
Ngati Tarawhai
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Hinemihi na Te Rangitakaroro, a
Ka ki ano, he tangata.
Tihei mauri ora.
Tena ra koutou,
I have the privilege of being the Ngati Tarawhai Affiliate representative on TPT and Chair of Ngati Tarawhai Iwi Trust.
Having spent a lot of time alongside my grandparents, I developed a deep interest in hapu and Iwi history with our whanau connections to Ngati Tarawhai coming through our Ehau and Pango tupuna.
I look forward to utilising the skills and experience I have gained as a business owner and educator in progressing our Iwi goals.

Clark Pirika
Ngati Te Roro o Te Rangi
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Rangitihi Pene
Tūhourangi Ngāti Wahiao
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Nireaha Pirika
Ngati Uenukukopako
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He hopes to ensure that Maori as a people are enabled to follow their dreams in his time as a TPT Trustee. He also hopes to tear down barriers and build our people up to thrive and prosper to become a productive member of the hapu/iwi.

Piki Thomas
Ngati Pikiao
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Watu Mihinui
Tuhourangi Ngati Wahiao
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Paraone Pirika
Ngati Tuteniu
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Kirikowhai Mikaere
Tuhourangi Ngati Wahia
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For the last 18 years I have specialised in Iwi Māori data and information, focusing on harnessing information to empower iwi, hapū, whānau and community development. I have advised tribal, community and private sector organisations as well as Ministers and government agencies with practical statistical analysis and innovative indigenous place-based data solutions.
I am the current lead technical advisor to the Iwi Chairs Forum – Data Leadership Group and operations lead for Te Kahui Raraunga.
I have been a Future Director of the State Sector on Te Māngai Pāho, am the current deputy chair of Manaaki Ora Trust (providing governance for Tipu Ora and Utuhina Manaakitanga), a member of the Kāhui Māori for the National Science Challenge: Science for Technological Innovation, as well as a member of the Data Ethics Committee for New Zealand and a member of the Institute of Directors.
A proud mother of two – Kapuarangi Te Awa-i-honoa Mikaere Hayes (8 years) and Te Wai Kura Erena Hayes (6 years) – and partner of Selwyn Hayes (Ngāi Tai, Te Ātihaunui a Pāpārangi).
I am passionate about the integrated development of our people and our place; I look forward to contributing my skills and passion for that development to my iwi.
E kore e mimiti te puna o mihi ki a koutou hei tautoko i tō tātau iwi o Te Arawa – tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.