CORE VALUE
Whanaungatanga
WHAT IT MEANS
Relationships of care and connectedness are fundamental
HOW WE WILL IMPLEMENT IT
We work by developing open, honest and genuinely collaborative relationships with all our partners: schools, communities, iwi, hapū, local and central government policy-makers, relevant experts nationally and internationally, and other not-for-profits.
CORE VALUE
Manaakitanga
WHAT IT MEANS
The moral objective to care for others and Te Ao Turoa (the enduring world), to ensure wellbeing
HOW WE WILL IMPLEMENT IT
We aim to really listen to what each school and community wants from their space to help ensure that all children and communities to have access to the things they need to live healthy happy lives.
CORE VALUE
Wānanga
WHAT IT MEANS
Engaging in shared learning conversations and research to inform our next steps
HOW WE WILL IMPLEMENT IT
We continually work to ensure that the advice we provide is accurate, up-to-date and relevant. Our aim to set the standard for best-practice in the spaces we operate. We are developing evaluation programmes to ensure our work is achieving what we want it to, and is as effective as possible.
CORE VALUE
Ako
WHAT IT MEANS
The reciprocal nature of learning, from those around us and the environment we engage with
HOW WE WILL IMPLEMENT IT
We work to ensure that our mahi reflects latest scientific research, Mātauranga Māori and government policy. We are on an ongoing journey of our own learning and aim for all our relationships to be reciprocal, whereby we share what we know, and we learn from what others know, working collaboratively for the benefit of our kids.
CORE VALUE
Kaitiakitanga
WHAT IT MEANS
Our obligation and responsibility to protect and sustain the natural world for generations to come
HOW WE WILL IMPLEMENT IT
In everything we do we aim to act respectfully and responsibly toward Te Ao Tūroa and help to engender a love for the natural world and the value of kaitiakitanga in our future generations.
CORE VALUE
Tauutuutu
Reciprocity of relationships, upholding the mana and mātauranga of all parties
We will strive to ensure that all our relationships are reciprocal and to acknowledge others’ contributions and mātauranga.
Our People
Hannah Simmonds
Co-Founder and Trustee
Taku ara rā ko Turongo, I wawaea ki te Tai-Rāwhiti, Ko Māhinaarangi, ko te rua ra i moe ai a Raukawa; He kāwei tautika mai ki ahau.
Ko Tainui te waka, ko Waikato te awa, ko Wharepuhunga te maunga, ko Raukawa te iwi, ko Ngāti Huri te hapū, ko Pikitu te marae.
Hannah is has over 20 years experience in the New Zealand education sector, as a teacher, professional development facilitator and manager in both kura auraki and kura Māori. She is currently working as Pou Angitu with Ngā Kura ā Iwi o Aotearoa. She is passionate about creating opportunities for tamariki to thrive. She lives in Whakatane with her husband Brad Tutua and their three children.
Erin Green
Co-Founder and Trustee
I tipu mai ahau i Piopio. Ināianei, ko Whakatane taku wā kāinga noho i te taha o tōku hoa tane a Che. He Pākehā ahau.
Erin Green is co-founder of Te Puna Taiao. She was brought up in Piopio and has a Master’s degree in Marine Science. In her early career Erin worked for central government in environmental and social policy areas such as community-led marine management, biosecurity, and refugee and migrant resettlement. She is passionate about reducing inequity in our communities, encouraging a connection to taiao, honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and helping to build communities that provide the right environment for each child to reach their full potential. Erin lives in Whakatāne with her partner Ché and their four children.
Che Charteris
Trustee
Tēnā tātou katoa, Ko Paeroa ngā pae maunga, Ko Waikato te awa, Ko Ngāti Tahu-Ngāti Whaoa tōku iwi, Ko Te Toke tōku marae, Ko Taniko Reweti tōku tīpuna māmā, Ko Che Charteris ahau.
Che Charteris currently chairs the commercial board for Tauhara North No. 2 Trust and is CEO and Chief Investment Officer of one of New Zealand’s largest and most diversified primary food and fibre production groups – Craigmore Sustainables. In these roles Che’s focus is on improving land use in Aoteroa. In his role as trustee on the Te Puna Taiao Governance Board, Che is keen to use his financial management and governance skills to help the organisation improve outcomes for our tamariki and communities. Che was born and raised on the East Coast and Gisborne and now enjoys the many benefits of living in Whakatāne with his partner Erin and their four children.
Keri Topperwien
Trustee
Ko Pūtauaki te maunga, ko Rangitāiki te Awa, Ko Mataatua te waka, Ko Ngāti Awa te iwi, Ko Nga Maihi te hapū i te taha o tōku mama, Ko Keri Topperwien ahau, No Ōhope ahau.
Keri is the co-director of Tūānuku Ltd., a kaupapa Māori environmental consultancy based in Whakatāne. Keri is a highly skilled and experienced environmental advisor, researcher, and facilitator. She completed her Masters thesis at Waikato University in 2008, which examined the flood responses and impacts on waahi tapu and iwi/hapū as a result of the 2005 Matatā flood.
Since this time, Keri has worked in several positions, including as a researcher for Waikato Regional Council, a lecturer of environmental planning at Waikato University, and most recently as the Environmental Manager at Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa. She is also a board member for Eastbay R.E.A.P.
Keri has been a successful director of the Dream Chaser Foundation - a child cancer charity, for 11 years, and through this work, she has led community awareness campaigns, secured on-going funding, and established a family support programme. She continues to be active in the promotion and advocacy for improved health outcomes for Māori children with cancer.
Keri is a mother of three, works first and foremost for her children, and is privileged to be working as an advocate for them and their whenua.
Partner Organisations
Duncan
Cotterill
Allandale
Primary School
Claire House
Photography
Toi te Ora
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o te Orini
Kimi Ora Community School
WHAKATAUKI
"Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi,
engari taku toa he toa takimano"