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TE RUNANGANUI O NGATI POROU
For Rangi-Riana Williams her mahi at Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou is more than just a job. It’s also an opportunity to build meaningful connections with whanau.
Rangi (Te Whānau a Hunaara/Te Whānau a Te Rangi Pureora) started working for the organisation in April 2023, initially working as an Archives Administrator for a short time before stepping into an Elections Administrator role during the 2023 TRONPnui board elections later that year.
Based at the Runanganui’s Te Tini o Porou office in Kaiti, Gisborne, Rangi is now employed in a dual role as Corporate Services and Ngati Porou Registration Administrator. Rangi plays a key part in managing the day-to-day inquiries and registrations that come through the Gisborne office, which includes working directly with whanau to help them obtain the information or documents necessary for registration.
“The best part of my job is meeting new people and building connections,” says Rangi. “Helping whanau reconnect with their iwi is also incredibly rewarding. It’s about more than just paperwork—it’s about fostering relationships that bring people closer to their Ngati Poroutanga.”
The Ngati Porou Register is a database of Ngati Porou Iwi registered members’ names, whakapapa and contact details which is maintained by Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou. The 2024 TRONPnui Annual Report recorded a total number of 27,971 registered Iwi members, with 6,863 based in Tairawhiti, 1,123 living in Australia and 130 in other places overseas.
Rangi says her mahi differs slightly from her East Coast based colleague, Hiria Shaw, who has over a decades worth of experience looking after the Ngati Porou Register. She says Hiria provides a broader level of oversight over the database and handles inquiries and registrations that come into the Ruatoria office.
Rangi says from her 18 months in the role, she has identified several challenges whanau may encounter when trying to register on the Ngati Porou Register.
“One of the main issues is the difficulty in providing acceptable forms of ID. Many individuals may not have the necessary documentation or have lost track of their whakapapa, making it hard to gather all the information required for registration. Additionally, some whanau may not be connected to their Ngati Porou heritage or their marae, which further complicates the process.”
“As administrators, our goal is always to ensure as many whanau as possible are registered with the iwi. We understand that these challenges can arise, and we work to support our people by connecting them to the right services and assisting with connection to marae and extended whanau along the coast. By networking and collaborating with these resources, we aim to help process registrations and overcome these barriers, ensuring that our whanau are supported in reconnecting with their Ngati Porou identity.”
For those thinking about registering, Rangi-Riana has a few helpful tips to make the process smoother. She recommends having a valid ID, knowing your marae, and ensuring the Runanganui team has a way to contact you. Registration can be done online or in person at the Gisborne or Ruatoria offices.
“If there are any issues, we are always ready to help,” Rangi says. “Our aim is to make the registration process as easy, accessible and accommodating as possible. We are committed to helping in any way we can. If you encounter any issues or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out.”
When asked why should Ngati Porou whanau consider registering, Rangi highlights some of the opportunities that come from being on the Ngati Porou Register.
“You have the opportunity to participate in iwi governance, vote in leadership elections,and be consulted on decisions regarding the iwi's development. Registration provides a voice in iwi decisions, ensuring that leadership is more inclusive and representative of the people. Registration also provides access to valuable resources such as Toitu Ngati Porou Education scholarships and Cultural and Sports grants.
During the upcoming Christmas and New Years holidays, Rangi plans to spend quality time connecting with her own whanau and is looking forward to the opportunities 2025 will bring.
