WHO WE ARE
We walk alongside whānau. Supporting. Healing. Strengthening
We walk alongside whānau helping them heal and restore oranga. To support whānau to free themselves from family and sexual violence. To guide tāne and wāhine to overcome personal challenges and become stronger, safer parents and partners. To ensure that kaumātua are treasured and respected. And to strengthen hapori whānui for the good of everyone.
You see, we believe a thriving whānau nurtures, loves and cares for its tamariki. And tamariki are taonga!
Our vision & mission
Our vision is an Aotearoa of Whaimana Whānau (empowered families), Tamariki Harikoa –(joyful children) and Puni Mātauranga (knowledgeable sector).
Our mahi/mission is Tū Rawea Tū Pākau Roroa – Te arataki i te iwi te piki ki nga taumata tiketike. By living our values, we lead the restoration of whānau wellbeing in Aotearoa, supporting whānau in communities facing significant challenges.
Our values
- Auaha – Nurturing the creative and innovative spirit
- Te Ao Māori – Valuing the past, present and future of the Māori world
- Pono – Moving with integrity
- Tika – Do what is right and just
- Aroha – Giving unconditional and compassionate service
- Tū Tangata – Pursuit for excellence
- Tumanako - Releasing the aspirations
OUR COMMUNITY
Walking alongside whānau, together
We work with a range of social, government and educational organisations to create meaningful change in the lives of whānau.
OUR HISTORY
Te Pūrākau o te Whare
1991
Te Whānau a Hineahuone is established under the auspices of the Anglican Trust for Women and Children as a resource centre for wāhine and their whānau.
1992
Te Whare Ruruhau o Meri Trust is established by Te Hāhi Mihingare, the Māori Anglican Church, and is led by the Reverend Puti Murray to address the complex needs of whānau.
1993
Following the retirement of Reverend Murray, Hera Clarke joins Te Whare Ruruhau o Meri Trust to continue its vital work with whānau.
1998
Our Te Kawa o te Marae wellbeing framework is developed to help whānau better learn to overcome family violence and understand the healing process.
2010
Dee-Ann Wolferstan is appointed CEO and plays a key role in shaping and leading the vision of Te Whare e Tū Nei! (The House that Stands Resilient!), with a mission focused on restoring whānau wellbeing.
2012
Te Whare starts offering services to whānau living in Kaitaia.
2015
Collaborations, partnerships and innovation enable Te Whare to expand and develop services to respond to the changing needs of whānau and hapori.
2022
Te Whare fully establishes its presence in Kaitaia with the official opening of its building.
2024
Te Whare has 51 staff delivering a diverse range of programmes and services across Te Tai Tokerau and Tāmaki Makaurau.
OUR PEOPLE
Te Tangata
Our Board and leadership team is made up of a group of experienced, passionate and highly skilled individuals committed to reducing violence and leading the restoration of whānau wellbeing in Aotearoa.
Chair
Natalie Vincent
Ngāpuhi
With a focus on making a positive impact, Natalie works as a consultant in the for-purpose sector. With many years of experience and a degree in educational psychology, she is deeply committed to community service. Natalie has extensive governance experience as well as serving as the Chair of Te Whare Ruruhau o Meri Trust, she is also a Trustee and Chair of the Finance & Risk Committee for E Tipu E Rea Whanau Services, manages the Auckland Airport Community Trust and was a founding Trustee and Chair of the Littlemore Trust.
Trustee
The Right Reverend Te Kītohi Pikaahu
Ngāpuhi, Te Aupōuri, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Kahu, Te Roroa, Ngāti Whātua
As Bishop of Te Tai Tokerau and faith leader to Mihingare (Māori Anglicans) in Northland and Auckland, Bishop Pikaahu is an advocate for the wellbeing of Māori and indigenous communities. The longest-serving indigenous bishop in the global Anglican community, he has significant governance experience, including Anglican Liaison Bishop for the New Zealand Defence Force, Deputy Chair of the Chaplain’s Defence Advisory Council and Trustee of several charitable organisations. In 2021, Bishop Pikaahu was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the Anglican Church and Māori.
Trustee
Reverend Katene Eruera
Ngāti Hau, Ngāti Kaharau, Ngāti Kuri, Te Rarawa
With a postgraduate degree in theology, Katene practised law before moving into Anglican ministry, where he has served as a priest and military chaplain. He is currently a PhD candidate at AUT Business School, researching Māori and indigenous leadership models compared to Christian frameworks. Katene has held various roles within the Māori Anglican Church, including on several charitable Trust Boards. He is also Co-Director of the Kingi Ihaka Research Centre and serves as an Archdeacon and Vicar-General in Te Hui Amorangi o Te Tai Tokerau.
Trustee
Reverend Rannie Marsden
Following a career in social work, Rannie is now Kaiwhakamana Rangatahi for Te Pīhopatanga o Te Tai Tokerau. She is completing a Bachelor's degree in Humanities, majoring in Indigenous Studies, Policy, Mihingare Studies and Māori Studies. Rannie is passionate about waka ama and was a founding member of the Parihaka Waka Ama Club and the Hoe Matariki Waka Ama Regatta. She dedicated to creating change within the social sector, especially in delivering whānau programmes that empower families to make positive decisions for their mokopuna.
Trustee
Jen Collings
CG (Affiliated), EMBA, LLB (Hons), DipBS
A seasoned leader in Christian church and charity circles, Jen is the National Director of the CMFnz, providing support to a medical professionals and students across Aotearoa. Jen has a Law Degree and Executive MBA, and engages in freelance governance positions. With experience as an ordained minister and local director of social services at The Salvation Army, she promotes a unified approach to Christian mission across church and social services. Jen also serves as a Board Director at Christian Savings and is an Affiliate Member of The Chartered Governance Institute NZ.
Trustee
Dr Janet O'Connor
Janet has a background in health, a degree in medicine and public health, and a special interest in youth nutrition and wellbeing. She has over 20 years’ experience working in project management, strategy, policy development and governance in international and Pasifika organisations. Janet is now retired from developmental projects with the Pasifika community, including volunteer work for Kiribati communities in New Zealand. From experience, she knows the negative impact of poverty and violence impact on children’s lives and believes we must protect them and support their wellbeing.
Trustee
David Tapene
Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Maniapoto, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Kahu
David holds several governance positions. He is currently Chair of Hui Amorangi o Te Taitokerau Trust Board and Te Whare Ruruhau o Meri Trust Board, an Anglican Church General Synod Standing Committee member, Komiti Tumuaki delegate and Lions Hikurangi member. With a background in IT, business analytics and tertiary education in management and tutoring, David is a Kaiwhakamana, Te Pihopatanga o Te Tai Tokerau, Kaikarakia, Haaahi Mihingare and Pouako Te Reo Mihingare. He is also a musician, composer, choral master and Kapa Haka tutor in many Whangarei schools.
Board Secretary
Deborah Davidson
Deborah has extensive experience in corporate and not-for-profit governance. Her career began in human rights and environmental legal claims, working with charities such as Greenpeace, Amnesty International and Women Against Rape. Since moving to New Zealand, Deborah has been involved in several governance programmes for not-for-profit entities supporting vulnerable people and marginalised communities. This includes roles as an advisory board member and governance consultant, advising on governance frameworks. Deborah is deeply passionate about human rights, particularly advocating for female rights.
Our leadership team
Elizabeth Walker
Tāhūhū | CEO
Te Rarawa, Ngāti Tuwharetoa
Tania Beekmans
Manukura Tāmaki Makaurau
BSW, PGDipSup
Pāora Graham
Manutaki | Te Tai Tokerau
Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri
BSW
Tania Morunga
Manutaki | Te Tai Tokerau
Ngāti Kahu, Ngāpuhi
BSW
Mawene Ruka Birch
Pou Tikanga
Ngāpuhi, Ngāri Porou
Marnie Webber
Tumuaki | CFO
BBS - Accountancy, DipProfAcc, CIMA(PQ)
Teena Siteine
Manutaki | Tāmaki Makaurau
Cecelia Taniwha
Manutaki | Tāmaki Makaurau
Waikato Tainui, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Kuri
Shay Twomey
Manutaki | Tāmaki Makaurau
E hara taku toa, I te toa takitahi ēngari he toa taku tini.
My strength is not from myself alone, but from the strength of the collective.
