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 intergenerational empowerment and development, nurturing future generations of leadership, by and for rangatahi-taiohi initiatives, and driving intergenerationally focused strategy and projects for marae, hapū and whānau.

Our Mission: To equip our tamariki, rangatahi and uri whakaheke 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 Takere o Te Arawa Waka (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

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 created based on the aspirations of 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 Approach

Our Story & Foundation

Te Puna Ariki’s story is one that was written in the stars generations before the inception of our trust. Our ingoa takes inspiration from and honours ancestral truth and kōrero tuku iho.

It is important to note that we have adopted the specific singular noun of ‘Te’ instead of the non-specific noun ‘He’ to emphasise the uniqueness of our waka and to differentiate it slightly from the waka from our kōrero tuku iho. Honouring the differing purposes of these two waka, but acknowledging the shared whakapapa and kōrero.

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

According to the traditions of Mataatua, upon the separation of Ranginui and Papatuānuku 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 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 Tamarēreti to affix these taonga to the chest of Ranginui. Tamarēreti was a renowned rangatira, navigator, and captain of the He Puna Ariki vessel. With the assistance of Tamarēreti 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 centre represents our tūpuna and the way their wisdom and guidance inspires us today. The spheres running along the spine of the waka maumahara represent the three baskets of light. Finally, the pūhoro design in the background represent the journey of our trust, people, and uri whakaheke.

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