Our Aspirations:
“We aspire to give life to the aspirations of our tīpuna by supporting the resilience, confidence, and development of rangatahi across Aotearoa. We are actively committed to the restoration of our communities and wellbeing of rangatahi to build the Aotearoa hou our tīpuna sung and dreamt about”
Nā Te Rika Temara-Benfell
Kaihautū of Te Puna Ariki Charitable Trust
Dante (left) and Gabriel (right) are dedicated, up-and-coming athletes who have discovered their passion for skateboarding
About us
Te Puna Ariki is a publicly registered and whānau centered Charitable Trust that is committed to the growth and development of rangatahi. Our mission is to empower young people by providing opportunities and resources that foster their cultural, educational, and personal development. We believe in the potential of our rangatahi to lead and inspire, and we are devoted to supporting their journey towards achieving their aspirations. Through various programs, initiatives, and community partnerships, Te Puna Ariki aims to create a nurturing environment where rangatahi Māori can thrive and contribute positively to their hāpori, whānau, marae, and hapū.
Our Story:
Te Puna Ariki Charitable Trust derives its names from the ancient vessel 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
Our Journey
Te Puna Ariki was founded by four families, the Benfells, Temaras, Bakers, and McCleans. After a series of wānanga held with the shared purpose of addressing the inequities faced by rangatahi, the trust was formally established in June 2023. The trust was born out of a collective desire to find solutions at the whānau, hapū, and community level. Its mission is to empower rangatahi, taiohi, and tamariki across our rohe, helping them break through barriers and reach their full potential.
As a trust and whānau, we are committed to:
Facilitating educational programmes, development opportunities, and kaupapa that support the growth and development of our rangatahi;
Providing guidance, building resilience, and fostering confidence within our rangatahi and wider community; and
Offering financial support and sponsorship to Māori groups, entities, whānau, hapū, iwi, and any other organisations that share the values and mission of the trust.
Te Waka Maumahara o Te Puna Ariki
(Our brand and logo)
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.