Learn More About Us

Established in 1997

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We enhance the quality of life and well-being of Kaumātua

Quality Accredited

About us

The Rauawaawa Kaumātua Charitable Trust was established in 1997 by a group of Kaumātua that identified a need for Kaumātua (55 years and over) culturally focussed, appropriate and accessible health, social and community-based activities and services. The overarching aim being to enhance the quality of life and well-being of Kaumātua.
Today, the Trust continues to operate as a unique Kaumātua governed and led organisation, serving elders within the Kirikiriroa area on a daily basis as well as throughout Aotearoa during annual events such as the Kaumātua Olympics.
The Rauawaawa Kaumātua Charitable Trust is a non-profit registered charitable entity with over six hundred Kaumātua registered on its database with 80 percent reported as Māori, 65 percent reported as female and 35 percent male. The key reasons identified by Kaumātua for accessing support from Rauawaawa are Health, Education and Information, and Socialisation.
The Rauawaawa Kaumātua Charitable Trust is quality accredited under the Te Wana Quality Health Programme and has been recognised across multiple service delivery sectors and received the Child Youth and Family award in 2006, the Aotearoa Community Education (ACE) Innovation Award in 2007, an Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) achievement award in 2007 and a Whānau Ora Finalist award in 2007. A Minister of Health Volunteers Award was made for Outstanding Service in 2015 to Kiriata Matthews our current Co-Chair for the Kotahitanga Committee.
The organisation was also instrumental in hosting the first inaugural National Kaumātua Conference in Kirikiriroa 2007. Since then, conferences have been held in Palmerston North and Nelson, supporting the potential capacity and capability of the Kaumātua service provider sector. It is through these forums that the National Collective initiative “Hei Manaaki nga Kaumātua Charitable Trust” has been conceived.

Korowai Framework

Our Mission

“He Korowai Oranga Hei Tau Awhi i nga Kaumātua”

To offer a Korowai of Services, which will wrap around Kaumātua to keep them warm and safe.

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Our Korowai Framework

Consistent with our mission statement the Rauawaawa Kaumātua Charitable Trust uses the Korowai analogy to describe the work that it does for Kaumātua. The framework was created to enable the Trust, when setting its work standards, to emulate the same standards required to weave a korowai of quality. Trust workers are regarded as “weavers” who contribute to the weaving of a korowai of services that the Trust will wrap around Kaumātua “to keep them warm and safe”.

Our Vision

“Hei Manaaki Nga Kaumātua”

To enhance the quality of life and well-being of Kaumātua.

Board of Trustees

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Owen Purcell

Owen Purcell

Chairperson and Executive Committee

Ko Te Mata te maunga
Ko Ngaruroro te awa
Ko Ngāti Hawea te hapū
Ko Heretaunga te tai whenua
Ko Ruahapia to marae

• Married 59 years
• Whakatu Freezing Works Hastings
• NZ Police Department 27 years
• Volunteer builder as labour missionary of the NZ Temple and The Church College of New Zealand
• Co-chair for the Hamilton Safer Communities Council under the direction of the Prime Minister’s Office
• Currently Deputy Chair of Te Runanga o Kirkiriroa Charitable Trust
• Trustee Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated and Trustee Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated ki Kirikiriroa
• Chairman of NZ Labour Missionary Trust
• Board member of Te Kohao Health – Kirikiriroa
• Chairman of Tobacco Action Group (TAG) Ngāti Kahungunu
• Foundation Board member

Tonga Kelly

Tonga Kelly

Executive Committee

Ko Tainui to waka
Ko Taupiri te maunga
Ko Waikato te awa
Ko Waikato te iwi
Ko Ngāti Mahuta te hapū
Ko Te Wherowhero te tangata
Ko Te Papatapu te marae

• 3 children, 13 mokopuna, 2 mokopuna tuarua
• Hamilton Technical College
• Auto electrical business 18 years
• Probation officer Justice Department 16 years
• Child Youth and Family Service several years
• Youth Justice Coordinator several years
• Foundation Board member

Eruera Te Whetu Beattie  BA. LTh. JP

Eruera Te Whetu Beattie BA. LTh. JP

Tikanga portfolio

Ko Takitimu te Waka
Whakapūnake te Maunga
Wairoa Hopūpū hōnengenenge te awa
Ngāti Kaungunu te iwi

> Wairoa College; Wellington Technical College (Building Technology); Massey and Waikato Universities (Psychology and Māori)
> Building Inspector through the ranks to management level
> Māori Services Manager, Waikato Hospital Board (established the first Māori health team Te Waka Hauora, DHB Kaumātua Kaunihera, DHB Iwi Council) ensuring Māori input into organisational strategic planning, policy development and funding distribution
> Archdeacon in the Māori Anglican Church

Jaylene Barwick

Jaylene Barwick

Facility Fundraising Committee, Quality Committee

Hoki Purcell

Hoki Purcell

Aroha ngā Mokopuna Committee, Facility Fundraising Committee

Ko Taupo-Nui-a-Tia te moana
Ko Waikato te awa
Ko Arawa te waka
Ko Tuwharetoa te iwi
Ko Rauhato te hapū
Ko Te Rangiita me Nukuhau ōku marae
Ko Te Heu Heu te tangata
Ko Merania me George Chase ōku mātua

> Married to Owen for 59 years 6 months, 4 children (1 deceased), 14 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren (3 deceased).
> Waikato Times, Advertising Department
> Freezing worker, Tomoana Freezing Works, Hastings
> Hawkes Bay Herald Tribune Newspaper, Office Worker
> Kaywoods Chemist, 5 years, Wairoa
> Social worker/Counsellor, Family Therapist – Presbyterian Social Services, James Family 11 years
> Counsellor, Family court counsellor
> Receptionist, Frankton Dinsdale Charitable Trust now Rauawaawa Charitable Trust
>Involved with Rauawaawa from 1998 working alongside Owen and our children during the development phase of the organisation
> Habitat for Humanity, ex Board Member
> Secretary, N.Z Labour Missionaries Charitable Trust

Maehe Maniapoto

Maehe Maniapoto

Executive Committee, Quality Committee, Aroha ngā Mokopuna Committee

Ko Tuwharetoa rātou
ko Te Arawa,
ko Tainui,
ko Tuhoe,
ko Te Atihau a Paparangi ōku iwi

• Career in administration and management
• Chief Registrar Māori Land Court
• Regional Director of Ministry of Māori Development TPK Waikato
• Joined Rauawaawa late June 2004

Raiha Gray

Raiha Gray

Tikanga portfolio

Ko Tainui te waka
Ko Pirongia te maunga
Ko Waikato te awa
Ko Ngaati Maahanga te Iwi
Ko Aramiro te Marae

> Kaiako Poupou Karanga, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
> Kaiako Poupou Karanga/Poupou Whaikoorero, Te Wānanga o Raukawa
> Te Arataki Manu Korero Certificate and Diploma, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
> Bachelors – Maatauranga Maaori
> Upskill NZ Certificate Adult Education and Teaching
> Pouahorangi, Te Waananga o Aotearoa, Hamilton
> Tutor Rauawaawa Kaumatua Charitable Trust and Waikato University for Waiata
> Assistant Manager Tainui Rohe, Statistics NZ
> Treasurer, Turangawaewae Kaumatua Fund, Turangawaewae Marae Committee, Turangawaewae Regatta Committee and Turangawaewae Building Fund

Staff / Kaimahi

Our dedicated, multi-talented, united group of staff are ready to assist in any way possible. Click profile to view more.

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Rangimahora Reddy

Rangimahora Reddy

CEO

Ko Kurahaupo te Waka
Tararua te Maunga
Manawatu te awa
Raukawa, Ngati Maniapoto, Waikato Tainui, Ngati Rangiwewehi me Rangitane nga iwi
Rauawaawa is an impressive organisation with dedicated, passionate and committed Trustees, Staff, Kotahitanga Committee, and Volunteers all striving to achieve “Hei Manaaki nga Kaumatua”. I consider it a fantastic opportunity to work alongside and for those I describe as “Nga Matauranga Taonga”. Complementary to that is “Te Puna o te Ora” the extraordinary facility that encompasses the Trust and the Kaumatua it serves. The history of the facility and its long service to Maori in the Waikato makes Rauawaawa a very special place to be.
Kirsten Johnston

Kirsten Johnston

Finance Support

Daphne Vasea

Daphne Vasea

Mauri Ora Community Health Worker

Rachael Owen

Rachael Owen

Mirimiri Therapist

TCMA, Chi Kung (Hons), N.T (Hons)

Ko Tainui te waka
Ko Taupiri te maunga
Ko Waikato te awa
Ko Tainui te iwi
Ko Waiiti te marae

• I am the 5th oldest of 12 siblings, married with two interesting and gorgeous girls.
• My career path has taken me towards Holistic Health, in the last 25 years as a Chi Kung/Mirimiri therapist my basket has collected many techniques from Natural Therapies, Health and Breathing exercises, Myoskeletal Alignment, Rehabilitation, Sports Massage, but naming just a few.
• My passion and interest has always been along this path and when a certain technique catches my interest and I know it would be of a benefit for those they are in need then it is followed through ‘We have many options in life, Never make giving up one of them’. ‘Prevention is what counts.’

Kath Holmes

Kath Holmes

Health Team Manager

Ko Te Pae Raukawa te maunga
Ko Pokaitu te awa
Ko Rotoruanuiakahumatamoemoe te moana
Ko Tonohopu te marae
Ko Ngati Whakaue te hapu
Ko Te Arawa te iwi
Ko Te Arawa te waka

Married to Paul Holmes of Tainui, Te Whanau- a- Apanui and Samoan decent, 3 beautiful children.
Educated in Rotorua and has worked in health and disability field for over 16 years.
Managerial roles with IDEA Services before beginning nursing career as registered nurse
Nursing experience in both the hospital and community settings where passion grew for Māori health, ensuring our whanau are supported to fully understand their health needs
Bachelor of Nursing, Diploma in Te Ara Reo Maori, PG Cert in Advanced Nursing.

Donna Tilyard-Davies

Donna Tilyard-Davies

Administration Manager/Support Services Coordinator

Wairarapa raua ko Ngati Kahungunu

Whakaaro e pa ana ki Rauawaawa/ What I like about Rauawaawa?:
To work alongside the Kaumatua, gain wisdom and learn new things, also the support team and the program of activities for the Kaumatua.

Sue (Huhana) Davis

Sue (Huhana) Davis

Mauri Ora Community Health Worker

Ko Tainui me Mataatua ōku waka
Ko Taupiri me Mauao ōku maunga
Ko Waikato me Tauranga moana ōku awa
Ko Waikato me Ngai Rangi ōku iwi
Ko Ngati Mahuta me Pirirakau ōku hapu
Ko Te Hoe o Tainui me Poututerangi ōku marae

• I am a mother of three boys and whangai mother of two boys and one girl, six mokopuna
• I am passionate about supporting kaumātua in managing their chronic diseases and in making their every-day lives easier and happier

Surinder Dhulip Singh

Surinder Dhulip Singh

Finance & Funding Manager

Born and bred in Malaysia. Completed my Bachelor of Financial Administration in Australia and return to Malaysia where I worked as an auditor and lecturer. Obtained my qualification and became a member of CPA Australia while I was in Malaysia. Also completed my Masters in Business Administration with Deakin University, Australia. Migrated to New Zealand about 10 years ago. Auditor, Staples Rodway Taranaki for 3 years. Assistant accountant/accountant, Tui Ora Limited for another 3 years.

Have been working with Rauawaawa Kaumatua Charitable Trust since May 2011 and enjoying every minute of it.

Patihana Takuira-Mita

Patihana Takuira-Mita

Transport Coordinator

Ko Te Arawa te waka
Ko Matawhaura te maunga
Ko Waitahanui a Hei te awa
Ko Ngati Pikiao te iwi
Ko Ngati Makino te hapū
Ko te marae

• I have the daily privilege of providing transport to kaumātua who otherwise would be unable to attend the services offered by Rauawaawa
• Sharing the stories and experiences of kaumātua, and working alongside a team made up of Trustees, Management, Staff and Volunteers is a highlight of the job.
• I have made it my personal responsibility to help maintain a tidy complex
• From April to July 2013 I was a volunteer for Rauawaawa, but have since been employed in this role

Patricia Head

Patricia Head

Head Cook

Kotahitanga Committee

A dedicated, multi-talented, united group of kaumātua who voluntarily multi-task in a variety of ways to support Rauawaawa’s vision of “hei manaaki ngā kaumātua”. For example the Kotahitanga Committee organises the weekly kaumātua social programme and participates in other Rauawaawa events. Click profile to view more.

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Donna Tilyard-Davies

Donna Tilyard-Davies

Kotahitanga Committee Supervisor

Maryanne Tainui

Maryanne Tainui

Kotahitanga Member

Ko Tainui te waka
Ko Taupiri te maunga
Ko Waikato te awa
Ko Waikato te iwi
Ko Ngati Hine te hapu
Ko Maurea te marae
Dorne Eketone

Dorne Eketone

Kotahitanga Member

Kawhia kai Kawhia moana
Ko Tainui te waka
Ko Pirongia te maunga
Ko Ngaati Mahuta te hapū
Ko Maketu te marae
Kiriata Matthews

Kiriata Matthews

Kotahitanga Co-Coordinator

Ko Mataatua te waka
Ko Mauo te maunga
Ko Tauranganui te moana
Ko Ngaiterangi te iwi
Ko Rereatukahia te hapu
Ko Tamewhareuia te marae
Sam Samuels

Sam Samuels

Kotahitanga Member

Kawhia kai Kawhia moana
Ko Tainui te waka
Ko Pirongia te maunga
Ko Ngaati Mahuta te hapū
Ko Maketu te marae
Pare Meha

Pare Meha

Kotahitanga Committee Secretary

Jim Tainui

Jim Tainui

Band manager, lead guitarist

Ko Tainui te waka
Ko Rangitoto te maunga
Ko Waipa te awa
Ko Maniapoto te iwi
Ko Rereahu te hapu
Ko Te Ahoroa te marae
Pat Head

Pat Head

Kotahitanga Member