Ten Patai: Meka Whaitiri

Meka Whaitiri has been the MP for Ikaroa-Rawhiti since 2013 when she succeeded her mentor, the late Parekura Horomia. In our Ten Patai series NgatiPorou.com ask Naati in all sorts of leadership roles what makes them tick …

1. As MP for Ikaroa-Rawhiti you travel a lot and work long hours. How do you keep up your energy for this mahi?

It's always a balance between eating right, exercising, getting to church and spending time with whanau. If my tinana, hinengaro, wairuatanga & aroha are right I feel I can serve others.

2. Being a parent and MP must be a challenge at times. What’s your biggest hope for your children?

To be good men. To make the most of their opportunities . To always remember who they are and where they come from. To always help others.

3. You were raised in a whānau of freezing workers. What’s the most important lesson you learned from them?

Whanau manaaaki, whanau kotahi, whanau mahi kaha.

4. You have a Master’s degree in education. What’s the most interesting thing you learned on your educational journey?

That every day is an educational journey and to make the most of the opportunities that present themselves - good, bad or indifferent.

5. You are an accomplished sportsperson in your own right. Apart from Ngāti Porou East Coast (of course), what is your favourite sports team and why?

Lindisfarne College XV - both sons played for them. The oldest son, Nohorua finished last year and the youngest, Wirangi is in his final year and is the co-captain.

6. You worked alongside Parekura Horomia. What was the most important thing you learned from him?

I learned so much from Parekura but if I was to narrow it to one thing it would be his unconditional love for and service of our people.

7. And you had an interesting introduction to Parekura’s working style…?

Haha he made me wait all day outside his office (8.30 - 4pm). Then told me it was a test to see if I would stick around. I told him that I was raised in a whanau that your word is your bond if you say you are going to be there or do something then do it.

8. Who has been an important mentor/role model to you in your life?

In my early years, pre-teen, it was my Uncle Pong Wyllie a shearing, picker & scrub cutting ganger in the Tairawhiti area who taught me the value of hardwork.

My great grandmother Reremoana Hakiwai (née Paratene) for service to the Mihingare and manaaki ki te tangata.

My grandmother Ruruhira Robin (née Nepe-Apatu) who introduced me to iwi politics. She was always encouraging our Iwi leaders for greater accountability and better performance.

My mother Mei Whaitiri (née Robin) who had 5 children under the age of 7 who taught me how to be an efficient & loving mother. As soon as we were old enough mum would go to work. At one time she worked in the shearing sheds 5am to 5pm with 3 pre-schoolers. I seriously don't know how she coped.

Finally Parekura who taught me how to use these values and apply them to the Pakeha world without compromising.

9. Why should people get involved in the life and organisation of their iwi?

People should get involved because this is about them. It's about their mana, their reo, their marae, their hapu, their whanau. Leadership at any level must be inclusive, transparent, accountable and it must invest in their own people. Be it at the marae, on the sports field, in the haahi or in the home, we need good leaders. This is why we all need to get involved.

10. If you had a four word motto, what would it be?

Manaaki ki te tangata.