Mahaki tiaki tangata

Mahaki Tiaki Tangata is our Iwi led emergency response management leadership which operates from Te Karaka Area School. The volunteer team led by Pimia Wehi and Dave Pikia, was formed as a response to the 2023 Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle, responding to direct and immediate need of Te Aitanga a Mahaki whanau and Marae.
The facility and evacuation area was opened in 2024 by Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro. The team and their work continue to thrive to support emergency response and preparedness. Bottom image: Morehu Pewhairangi (left), Richard Davies (Dame Cindy Kiro's husband), Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro, Tim Rhodes, Romia Whaanga, students from Te Karaka Area School and others from the Te Karaka community at the Mahaki Tiaki Tangata opening. Photo / Paul Rickard

HIGHLIGHTS

Te Karaka Solar Farm Project
Te Karaka will benefit from Māori-led action to combat climate change through the building of a solar farm that will power 200 homes and important infrastructure. In August 2025 Climate Change Minister Simon Watts met with hapū and iwi at the Kanakanaia Road Site where the Solar Farm is being built. The solar farm is a co-funded project with contributions from the Māori Climate Platform and Toitu Tairawhiti Builtsmart Ltd which is owned by the four iwi of Tairāwhiti including Te Aitanga a Mahaki of the Te Karaka region. The community will have their own power supply if the main grid is down, and power storage systems will provide further backup to keep essential services running. Economic benefits include job creation from the solar farm construction and reduced future energy costs. Pehimana Brown, Chair of Te Aitanga a Mahaki says the solar farm project along with government investment in other resilience projects will give the Te Karaka community greater peace of mind going into the future.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THE SOLAR FARM PROJECT