New Rotorua Lakes Council iwi leader: Arapeta Tahana follows in Dad's footsteps

Arapeta Tahana is following in the footsteps of his late father and namesake by taking on a key leadership role for his iwi.

The 38-year-old has been officially welcomed to his new role at the Rotorua Lakes Council, where he will lead the council's relationship with Te Arawa.

The occasion has been described as a happy and sad one as his late father, Arapeta Tahana Senior, who died on October 21, 2009, would have been "proud" to see his son taking on the leadership role.

Tahana Snr was Te Arawa Māori Trust Board chairman for eight years and spearheaded the district's $10 million lakes settlement with the Crown. He was also a former chief executive officer of the then Waiariki Polytechnic.

Tahana has been appointed to the role of Te Ahurei and replaces the Kaitiaki Ahurea Māori role held by Ngāti Whakaue kaumātua Monty Morrison, who officially finished at the council today. He has been a councillor at the Bay of Plenty Regional Council for the Ōkurei Māori constituency since 2013.

Rotorua Lakes Council, Te Tatau o Te Arawa and Te Arawa Lakes Trust joined forces to recruit for the Te Ahurei role.

Supported by his family members, including his young daughters and mother Sue Tahana, Tahana was welcomed with an official pōhiri at the Rotorua Council Chambers this morning.

Te Arawa iwi members, council staff and mayor Steve Chadwick were part of the welcome as Tahana's family and tribal elders officially handed him over.

Earlier, Tahana said he was excited about the opportunity to join the council team and contribute to strengthening the partnership with Te Arawa in a way that delivered positive outcomes for Te Arawa and the community.

Morrison told the Rotorua Daily Post today he had mixed emotions.

"I am thrilled we have been able to attract one of our own so he can continue the work we have started. I'm also thrilled to provide a wonderful opportunity to support him in his role and beginning another generation of leaders.

"But I am sad it is my last day and I was thinking about the circumstances which I came to this role and that was with the passing of Mauriora Kingi. We have been reflecting on that as well today."

Kingi, who was the council's kaupapa Māori director, died suddenly in 2015, leaving Te Arawa in shock. He was just 53.

"But I leave feeling pleased for the way ahead and the small part I played in the evolution of this council."

Morrison said Arapeta Tahana Snr would be "absolutely proud" of his son.

"He can continue the work that his father had prepared him for. He is only young and it is a role given to him by Te Arawa now and we are there to support him in that role."

Meanwhile, Morrison said he would now concentrate on his role as kaumatua for Ngāti Whakaue, taking over from Pihopa Kingi, who died in November 2017.

About Arapeta Tahana:

· Iwi Affiliations: Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Makino, Tapuika – Te Arawa Waka

· Age: 38

· Whānau: Laurissa Kerei (partner) and three daughters Te Kirihana, Parewhakaawe, Taingaehe. And two daughters from a previous relationship, Mapihi Kahurangi and Maria.

· Background in business management, Māori development, local government and community development across both operational and governance roles.

· Councillor on the Bay of Plenty Regional Council (2013-2019) representing the Ōkurei constituency, one of three Māori wards. Tahana currently chairs the regional council's Komiti Māori and is deputy chairman of Te Maru o Kaituna, the co-governance forum for the Kaituna River.

· Member of Te Maruata, Local Government NZ's Māori advisory board (2017-2019).

· Chairman of Rotoiti 15 Ahu Whenua Trust, largest Māori land block in the Rotorua District, 8400ha, $43m asset base, 15,000 owners (2010-19).

· Member of Rotorua Lakes Council Te Arawa Standing Committee (2010-2014)

· Led the design and iwi engagement for the establishment of the Te Arawa Partnership with Rotorua Lakes Council (2014-15)

· Youth and Community Development officer, Porirua City Council 2007-10

· Owned and operated two Vodafone franchises in Rotorua, 2001-2005