King Tuheitia names his new representative for the Ngāti Maniapoto Māori Trust Board

King Tuheitia named his new representative for the Ngāti Maniapoto Māori Trust Board at the Tokanganui a-noho poukai this weekend.

Kruger Arepa Wetere, the second eldest son of the late Hon. Koro Tainui Wetere MP will replace Miria Tuariki as the King’s representative on the board.  Kruger says it’s an honour to represent the King at such a crucial time of the treaty settlement process for the Ngāti Maniapoto Māori Trust Board.

“He honore nui tēnei ki a au kia tū hei kanohi mō tō tātou Kiingi Tuheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero, te tuawhitu.  My Dad was his Mum’s representative when Waikato Tainui signed in 1995.  Today, I am honoured to be selected by the King to follow in my father’s footsteps for our people,” he said.

“I want to acknowledge Aunty Miria for the years she devoted to our people and the service she gave the King as his former representative.  She leaves behind a legacy that has reinforced the ties between Ngāti Maniapoto and the Kiingitanga and I would like to wish her all the best in retirement," Kruger    

Kruger is the Māori Business & Relationship Manager at Callaghan Innovation, based in Auckland, working with all entities, iwi organizations, land trusts, incorporations - businesses that self-identify as Māori and also companies acquired by Māori as major shareholders.

Kruger says innovation should underpin the vision we all have for our marae because it’s about building a culture of continuous learning, growth, and personal development.  

“One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is supporting the positive impact innovation has on our people, our culture, and the ability of our marae to make the best use of the skills we have and local knowledge.

He has extensive experience and relationships in the corporate finance, government compliance, and infrastructure sectors and has been involved with some of NZ’s largest corporate entities and developments that engage Maori entities, Iwi, Trust & Incorporations in business today.

As a moko, Kruger was raised by his maternal grandparents, Aunty Amy and Uncle Bill Edwards, and spent his childhood growing up at Waipapa.   He went on to project manage the building of our wharekai, Te Maru o Ngāti Hikairo.