Rawiri (David) Tawhai-Bodsworth

Rawiri (David) Tawhai-Bodsworth

Ko Kapakapanui te maunga Ko Waikanae te awa.

Ko Kāpiti te moutere.

Ko Te Rau o Te Rangi te moana.

Ko Tokomaru te waka

Ko Whakarongotai te marae.

Ko Ngāti Awa/Te Atiawa, Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāruahinerangi, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Rangitane, Muaūpoko ngā iwi.

Ko Ngāti Puketapu, Ngāti Te Whiti, Manukorihi, Ngāti Komako, Ngāti Rāhiri ngā hapū.

Ko Hikimapu (Keenan), Tahuaroa, Takurua, Te Manu Toheroa, Ihakara Te Ngarara, Te Tawhai, Te Amai, Matenga, Matene, Bodsworth ōku tūpuna.

Ko Ngahina Matene Tawhai rāua ko David Bodsworth ōku Matua.

I am honoured to be chosen as Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai Chairperson for this term. I’m committed to kotahitanga, transparency and accountability. I will always strive to build bridges, connect, and support our people to be a united, positive force for the benefit of all in our iwi.

I am a senior manager with more than 26 years’ experience beginning with auditing/accounting and then progressing to project and programme management. I have had various roles in Te Ao Māori including Whakarongotai marae trustee, school BOT/ Whānau unit representative, marae ringawera, and Whānau/Hapū Waitangi claim facilitator.

My proven trustee, financial, programme/project management expertise and knowledge will be used to assist in the guidance of the trust in its ongoing growth and development in meeting our iwi’s aspirations while ensuring kaitiakitanga of our Te Taiao, wahi tapu and taonga. I believe a vision (What our trust needs to do to meet iwi aspirations) and a strategy (How you want our trust to do this) are critical in guiding our waka Te Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai. This direction must come from our iwi, so our people guide the trust and the kaitiakitanga of its trustees.