Nau mai, haere mai ki Te Puna Ariki!

“At Te Puna Ariki, we are committed to breathing life into the aspirations of our tūpuna by fostering the resilience, confidence, and growth of future generations. Our kaupapa is unapologetically dedicated to the restoration of our hāpori and the holistic wellbeing of our uri whakatipu. With unwavering loyalty, we will play our part in building the future our tūpuna envisioned and dreamed of”

Nā Te Rika Temara-Benfell, Te Kaihautū o Te Puna Ariki

About us:

Ko wai Mātou: Te Puna Ariki is a kaupapa Māori and hāpori based charitable trust that is inspired, led and driven by mokopuna-decisions. We specialise in rangatahi growth and development, nurturing future generations of leadership, by and for rangatahi initiatives, and driving intergenerationally focused strategy and projects for marae, hapū and whānau.

Our Mission: To equip our tamariki and rangatahi with the confidence, skills and resources to shape their own futures and carve their own paths.

Our Rohe: Our kaupapa is primarily based within Te Kei o Te Arawa (Rotorua). We also extend our support to whānau and communities across Murupara, Te Whāiti, Minginui, Ruatāhuna, and Whakatāne, reflecting our commitment to serving the wider rohe and strengthening connections across various tribal boundaries.

“Māku anō e hanga tōku whare. Ko tōna tāhuhu, he hīnau. Ōna pou he māhoe, he patatē.”

— Nā Kiingi Tawhiao

Our Organisational Structure

Full Organisational Structure: We have implemented an alternative governance structure which positions our board as a foundation for our organisation. In the strategic arm, the board is supported by the rangatahi leadership council and strategic advisory committee. The operational arm is led by Te Pou Whakahaere.

Ngā Ringa Raupā | Operational Arm

Our Approach:

Whakapapa lies at the heart of Māori leadership and is central to the foundation and structure of our trust. It recognises the sacred connections between ourselves, our Atua, our taonga, and our tūpuna. Our trust was established by four founding whānau, whose legacy and continued involvement remain vital to the strength and success of our kaupapa.

Our approach honours the tapu of whakapapa and places great importance on nurturing relationships across past, present, and future generations. We deeply value the closeness that shared whakapapa brings, and the beauty that emerges when those connections are extended to our wider hāpori. At every level, our work is whānau-centred, guided by a commitment to create the best possible future for our uri whakaheke.

In practice, this means that many of our trustees, kaimahi, and participants are connected through whakapapa as whānau, hapū, or iwi. Whakapapa relationships are managed well and shape the way we lead, make decisions, and engage with one another. We operate with trust, respect, and collective responsibility, ensuring that our kaupapa remains grounded in the values and aspirations of our people. Although at times we may seek independent advice, whakapapa reminds us that every action we take today contributes to the legacy we leave for those who come after us.

Our Story

Te Puna Ariki’s story is one that was written in the stars generations before the inception of our trust. Our ingoa honours the light that was brought to the world and the journey of Tamarēreti, who took Tāne on a revolutionary voyage to set the sun, moon and stars into the sky.

The story of Tāne, Tamarēreti, and Te Puna Ariki:

According to the traditions of Mataatua, upon the separation of Ranginui and Papatuanuku the world remained in absolute darkness. Many of the Atua discussed how they would bring light to the world, and it was agreed that they would create three celestial baskets. The first basket contained Tama-nui-te-rā, the second contained Te Marama, and the third contained ngā whetū me ngā hinatore. Tāne, the most senior of the Atua, sought help from his descendent Tamarereti to affix these taonga to the chest of Ranginui. Tamarereti was a renowned rangatira, navigator, and captain of the Puna Ariki vessel. With the assistance of Tamarereti and his Waka, Tāne was able to adorn the chest of Ranginui with the various forms of light.

Nā Professor Rangi Matamua ēnei kōrero

Te Waka Maumahara o Te Puna Ariki

(Our Branding and Logos)

Our logo is called Te Waka Maumahara o Te Puna Ariki. Waka Maumahara are utilised to immortalise significant events. The wheku in the center represents the tipuna Tamarereti, the captain of the Te Puna Ariki vessel. The spheres in the center represent the three baskets of light. Te Kete o Hina, Te Kete o ngā whetu me ngā hinātore, me Te Kete o Tamanuiterā. The pūhoro design in the background represent the journey of our trust and people.

Our Ringatoi:

Te Puna Ariki would like to give our sincere thanks and gratitude to Te Arawa artists Sharma Waiomio and Dallas Hawe of Makoirangi Arts. Together, they were able to bring our aspirations, values and story to life through our tohu.

Our Strategic Partners | Te Hunga Tautoko