Community Champion: Pāpā Wharewera

Each quarter, Healthy Families East Cape like to put the spotlight on a community champion, someone working within our Te Tairāwhiti community who is supporting, creating positive and transformational change towards the wellbeing of all people in our rohe.

This month, we are putting the spotlight on Pāpā Wharewera

Ko wai koe, nō hea koe? 

Ko Pāpā Wharewera (Kaperere George Wharewera) tōku ingoa. Nō Ngāti Pūkeko, Ngāti Awa, me Te Whānau a Apanui ahau. 

Kei te aha? 

Kei te ora. I am the Coastal Māori Ward Councillor for the Ōpōtiki District Council. In this role, I work to connect two worlds, supporting relationships between Māori communities and local government systems. Alongside this, I run a coffee cart at home, creating a space that brings people together and strengthens community connections. 

How did you get your name and what does it mean? 

I am named after my great, great grandfather, Te Wharewera Kāpereere of Ngāti Pūkeko. My middle name, George, comes from Hori Bird, who served alongside my karaua in World War II and now lies in Crete. 

What was your favourite story, book or movie growing up? 

Growing up, I enjoyed the whole Harry Potter series. I appreciated the strong morals and values within the stories and the journey across all the films.  

What's one of the most special or memorable moments in your mahi, and why does it stand out to you? 

One of the most meaningful moments in my journey was returning home to Te Kaha. Following COVID, My partner and I reflected on our lives and chose to return home, allowing us to reconnect with our iwi, whenua, and people, and to live out aspirations they had both carried since childhood. 

What is something everyone should know about your community? 

I’d describe my community as unique and dynamic. Each hapū along the coastline carries its own identity, leadership, expression of mana motuhake and tino rangatiratanga. Around every corner is another story, another way of life, and this diversity is something to be recognised and respected. 

What legacy do you want to leave behind? 

I hope to leave a legacy where my tamariki can live freely, humbly, and in a way that reflects who they truly are. I believe this legacy is created through action, by living as an example each day. 

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

A key whakaaro that guides me is the importance of focusing on what is needed now, not only what may be needed in the future. While mokopuna decisions remain important, I believe there must also be strong attention on supporting people in the present and nurturing the conditions for wellbeing today. 

Is there a song, haka, prayer or quote that makes you feel connected to your people or your home? What does it mean to you?

While not expressed through a specific waiata or karakia, my connection to my people and home is grounded in lived experience. Being on the whenua, surrounded by whānau and within iwi spaces, is what strengthens my sense of belonging and identity. 

If we visited your community, where would you take us and what would you want us to see, taste or experience there?

I would take you along the coastline of Te Whānau a Apanui. I would want you to experience the diversity of hapū, the strength of identity across the coast, and the deep connection between people, whenua, and moana. 

What is one small, everyday thing that brings you joy – like a food, a place, or a fun activity?

I find joy in bringing people together through my coffee cart and spending time with whānau. These everyday moments of connection are what grounds me and brings fulfilment. 

If you could share a message with young people in Tairāwhiti who want to support their communities, what would you say to them?

I would encourage rangatahi to be themselves and live in a way that reflects who they are. I believe that by doing so, they’ll naturally contribute to their whānau and communities. Leading by example and staying grounded in values is key. 

Who is a community champion you know that is awesome for their community?

While not naming a specific person, I acknowledge that leadership exists across the coast. Within each hapū, there are individuals who uplift their people in their own ways, contributing to the strength and well-being of their hapori.