Hunaara Waerehu
Hunaara Waerehu, who was on the regional Feds executive last year, joined Federated Farmers during his studies at the University of Auckland in 2021.
He later transferred his studies to Victoria University of Wellington where he now pursues a bachelor’s degree in science, majoring in mathematics and economics.
He currently studies from his home in Tikitiki, at his family homestead located just outside of the Poroporo Valley near the D9 hill, where he has lived ever since his early childhood.
Mr Waerehu grew up in a multigenerational household, living with both his grandparents, his parents, and his younger sister on their farm on ancestral land. Iwi and hapū tikanga (tribal customs and traditions) was the norm in his childhood, and he was fortunate to live with grandparents whose first language was Māori.
He grew up surrounded by relatives who farmed on their land, mainly on sheep and beef farms.
“I grew up surrounded by hardworking whānau, ringa raupa — or callus hands. Working on the whenua was the norm, although, to be honest, I never thought I would end up being heavily involved in agriculture.
“I had always thought I would leave home and move to the big city and pursue a career there.”
But fate had other plans. After one stint in Auckland and another in Wellington, the call back home was far too great for Hunaara to ignore.
Previously, he served on the Board of Hikurangi Enterprises, the former parent company of medical cannabis company Rua Bioscience, first as an associate director during his final years in high school, and then as director once he turned 18, until he resigned last year.
He is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors and runs his own small advisory and te reo tutoring business, Paronga Limited as a side hobby.
Hunaara was also awarded the New Zealand Top Scholar award for Te Reo Rangatira in 2019.
He currently works for his uncle Hilton Collier who is mentoring him in both the business and agricultural sectors at Taiao Connect Limited.
When asked about why he joined Federated Farmers he said: “I ultimately joined Federated Farmers because of my interests in policy and agriculture.
“I saw Federated Farmers as staunch advocates for rural New Zealand, and for farmers like my whānau.
“I have an aunty and uncle who farm up the valley just past my house.
“I’ve always been inspired by their hard work as small farmers and I wanted to give back to them and to serve all my whānau who farm on their whenua.
“We’re only small here up the Coast, so contributing to the excellent policy work that Federated Farmers does nationally is an awesome way to serve them.
“To be honest, I’m quite new to Federated Farmers, but we have an excellent team in our provincial executive, and I have excellent mentors in Federated Farmers who help guide me,” he said.
“So, what I really hope to achieve is to have all our members from Pōtikirua to Wairoa get access to our policy work and increase the membership up here on the Coast.
“We have important discussions to be had as an industry around regional and national policy and the overall future of our whenua and whānau.
“It’s no easy feat for anyone, but I’m ready to give it a go.
“Support farmers, support rural New Zealand.”
Hilton Collier said Hunaara has been earmarked as a leader since a young age.
“He is proficient in te ao Māori and it is great to see him bridge the gap into this role as Feds provincial president.
“Having a person with strong local connections brings Federated Farmers as an organisation closer to farmers on the Coast and also into the Māori agribusiness sector.
“While our interests may not have always aligned well in the past, hopefully, this appointment signals the start of a new relationship where we can jointly find better ways to address all the challenges the primary sector faces today.
“I believe Hunaara is the youngest ever provincial Feds president in New Zealand, and to my knowledge he is also the first Māori to hold the position in Tairāwhiti.”
Former provincial president Toby Williams says he believes Hunaara will be “fantastic” in the role.
“He is a very smart young man and he helps to bring a more Māori farming perspective to the organisation, especially considering the significance of Māori farming in the region.
“It will help to ensure our advocacy works — what the Federation does as an organisation.
“In summary, having Hunaara as provincial president will ensure we have a more balanced view on farming in our region.”
Hunaara’s mihi:
Ko Hikurangi te Maunga.
Ko Waiapu te Awa.
Toitū ko ngā uri ā Toi me te urutomo kua tau!
Mai Pōtikirua ki Tūranganui-ā-Kiwa.
Te wāhi nīao rā o ngā waka tapu a Horouta, a Tākitimu.
Mai Tūranganui-ā-Kiwa ki Te Wairoa Hōpūpū Hōnengenenge Mātangirau.
Ka ū, ka ū, ē ka tau.
Hikurangi is the Mountain.
Waiapu is the River.
Prosperous are the descendants of Toi and all who live here!
From Pōtikirua to Gisborne.
In Gisborne, that is where the domains of both holy canoes, Horouta and Tākitimu merge.
From Gisborne to Wairoa.
This is where I stay, this is where I stay.
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