‘How, not when, you help’ says new Sunrise trustee

Whaimutu Dewes. Picture supplied

The Sunrise Foundation has appointed Whaimutu Dewes to its board as its newest voluntary trustee.

Whaimutu joins an existing board of eight dedicated trustees who provide robust governance, led by Sunrise Chair Rob Dymock.

Of Ngati Porou and Ngati Rangitihi descent, Whaimutu says he is constantly reminded of the strictures of his elders to realise the aspirations of the people for generations that follow. He says he feels a sense of obligation to help at home in our local community however he can, which is why Sunrise’s mantra of ‘local giving, for local needs’ resonates with him. Whaimutu says.

“I’ve been raised with the belief that if you have the capacity, it’s a matter of how, not when, you help others. It’s about helping people that need a hand up as opposed to a handout.”

As a child Whaimutu spent a lot of time with his grandparents on their Te Araroa farm, and says he had a strong connection to the whenua, hoping to one day become a farmer.

However, this wasn’t to be the future for Whaimutu who instead chose to study law at Victoria University.

Whaimutu worked for a few years as a lawyer in Wellington before accepting a one year post-graduate scholarship at Harvard, USA.

He says this is where he learnt new business finance skills which became invaluable in the numerous important governance roles he would hold. On his return to New Zealand Whaimutu was first introduced to governance when shoulder- tappd to join the Ngati Porou Forest Group as a trustee. Within three months he was elected chairperson, and this is a role he retains. Glenda Stokes, Sunrise executive officer said.

“Whaimutu has a deep commitment to his whanau, iwi and the wider community and he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our Board. We’re lucky to have him join our Sunrise team.”

A strong advocate of the revitalisation of te reo Māori, Whaimutu regards the fact he and his wife Judy have raised their children to be fluent in both Māori and English, and to see that continued with their mokopuna, to be one of their life highlights.

The Sunrise Foundation raises funds from donations and legacies and invests them in perpetuity (forever) for the long term (endowment funds).

Income from investments is used to increase endowments in line with inflation. The surplus investment income is granted to charities, organisations, and needy causes in Tairawhiti-Gisborne (the area covered by Gisborne District Council).