Pae Whakatō is at the centre of our paepae; the poutokomanawa. They manage the fuel for the fire, they watch over our resources. They encourage us to have good systems and processes to keep the eternal fire burning.
In the context of the house of stone of Paerangi they are the different elements that are produced. The waterways, the rocks precious and everyday resources the layers of whenua we see in our landscape.
Pae Whakatō looks after a broad range of facets within the trust including finances, operations, health and safety, contract management, governance, administration and HR.
Pae Whakatō look after the day-to-day financials within the Trust. This includes accounts payables, accounts receivables, budgets and forecasting, payroll, financial reporting and tax management plan.
Pae Whakatō have a commitment to ensuring health and safety within the workplace, this includes keeping up to date on all health and safety matters within the workplace, following up on reported incidents or near misses and implementing a health and safety representative team. They have also achieved the Tōtika Health and Safety accreditation.
The team manage contracts with funders for projects and support other Pae with their contracts, support staff welfare and manage recruitment through advertising.
They also provide support to our governance with secretarial and administrative assistance for:
• Te Tōtarahoe o Paerangi
• Te Kūmete o Paerangi
• Te Kāhui o Paerangi
Pae Whakatō Kaimahi
Helen Leahy
Pou Ārahi
helen@ngatirangi.com
Ū ana mai ōku tīpuna ki Aotearoa nō ngā whenua o Kōtimana, o Tiamana, o Airani, o Wīwī anō hoki.
Helen is the Chief Executive of Te Tōtarahoe of Paerangi Trust and Ngā Waihua o Paerangi Trust for Ngāti Rangi. She is responsible for all of the work across the Ngāti Rangi group. Before coming to Ngā Waihua o Paerangi Helen was Chief Executive of the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency (Te Waipounamu) from 2015- 2022.
From 1999-2015 Helen was Chief of Staff for Dame Tariana Turia. She was National Secretary for the Māori Party from 2004 to 2014; and author of ‘Crossing the Floor: the story of Tariana Turia”.
Helen is on a number of advisory panels in the social sector and is often advocating for and on behalf of Ngāti Rangi uri aspirations in her role as Chief Executive.
Outside of her mahi, the enduring love of her life for Helen is her whānau - her partner, children, her mokopuna, her siblings, her father, her nieces and nephews; the aunties and uncles; kautau katoa. They all provide the sense of purpose for doing what she does. Helen also loves to write, to sing, and to enjoy the promise of a new sunrise; the glow of a radiant sunset. Helen is inspired by the vision, Kia mura ai te ora o Ngāti Rangi ki tua o te 1,000 tau. She wants to serve the "Voices of the people ; to respond to the range of aspirations and priorities shared with us; and to help build the future fit for all our mokopuna to indeed know they are born of the seeds of greatness.
helen@ngatirangi.com
Ū ana mai ōku tīpuna ki Aotearoa nō ngā whenua o Kōtimana, o Tiamana, o Airani, o Wīwī anō hoki.
Helen is the Chief Executive of Te Tōtarahoe of Paerangi Trust and Ngā Waihua o Paerangi Trust for Ngāti Rangi. She is responsible for all of the work across the Ngāti Rangi group. Before coming to Ngā Waihua o Paerangi Helen was Chief Executive of the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency (Te Waipounamu) from 2015- 2022.
From 1999-2015 Helen was Chief of Staff for Dame Tariana Turia. She was National Secretary for the Māori Party from 2004 to 2014; and author of ‘Crossing the Floor: the story of Tariana Turia”.
Helen is on a number of advisory panels in the social sector and is often advocating for and on behalf of Ngāti Rangi uri aspirations in her role as Chief Executive.
Outside of her mahi, the enduring love of her life for Helen is her whānau - her partner, children, her mokopuna, her siblings, her father, her nieces and nephews; the aunties and uncles; kautau katoa. They all provide the sense of purpose for doing what she does. Helen also loves to write, to sing, and to enjoy the promise of a new sunrise; the glow of a radiant sunset. Helen is inspired by the vision, Kia mura ai te ora o Ngāti Rangi ki tua o te 1,000 tau. She wants to serve the "Voices of the people ; to respond to the range of aspirations and priorities shared with us; and to help build the future fit for all our mokopuna to indeed know they are born of the seeds of greatness.
Lauren Wikohika
Pou Whirinaki Pae Whakatō
lauren.wikohika@ngatirangi.com
Ngāti Rangi, Te Ātihaunui-ā-Pāpārangi, Ngāi Tuhoe - Ngāti Manawa
Lauren is the Pou Whirinaki o Pae Whakatō, overseeing an incredible team. She holds various roles within the organisation. As a People and Culture Advisor, Lauren is responsible for recruitment, training, and enhancing team culture. Additionally, she serves as the Contracts Manager, ensuring that the organisation meets its contract deliverables and objectives, and is involved in drafting documents for contractors and consultants.
Raised primarily in Whanganui, Lauren has lived in Raetihi for 26 years. She is married to Peter, and together they have five children: Sayge, Tui, Lee, Putiputi, and Ihaka.
After a long career with WPI primarily in logistics, Lauren sought a more fulfilling role within her community and iwi. When the opportunity with Ngāti Rangi arose, she eagerly accepted it. She hopes her contributions to the kaupapa will be significant and feels incredibly grateful to work in such a diverse role for her people.
lauren.wikohika@ngatirangi.com
Ngāti Rangi, Te Ātihaunui-ā-Pāpārangi, Ngāi Tuhoe - Ngāti Manawa
Lauren is the Pou Whirinaki o Pae Whakatō, overseeing an incredible team. She holds various roles within the organisation. As a People and Culture Advisor, Lauren is responsible for recruitment, training, and enhancing team culture. Additionally, she serves as the Contracts Manager, ensuring that the organisation meets its contract deliverables and objectives, and is involved in drafting documents for contractors and consultants.
Raised primarily in Whanganui, Lauren has lived in Raetihi for 26 years. She is married to Peter, and together they have five children: Sayge, Tui, Lee, Putiputi, and Ihaka.
After a long career with WPI primarily in logistics, Lauren sought a more fulfilling role within her community and iwi. When the opportunity with Ngāti Rangi arose, she eagerly accepted it. She hopes her contributions to the kaupapa will be significant and feels incredibly grateful to work in such a diverse role for her people.
Aisha Kumeroa
Kaihāpai Poari (Board Secretary)
secretary@ngatirangi.com
Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Tūwharetoa
Aisha is the Board Secretary of the Ngāti Rangi Group. She provides key support services to the boards and support across the organisation to manaaki our manuhiri.
After working within kōhanga reo for sixteen years, Aisha found herself ready for the next chapter, whatever that was and however that looked. Aisha became a part time reliever at Nancy Winters Daycare Centre and worked in the hospitality industry at Coach Cafē where she is still part- time.
Aisha started in her current position with Ngāti Rangi in March 2020, two weeks before lockdown.
secretary@ngatirangi.com
Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Tūwharetoa
Aisha is the Board Secretary of the Ngāti Rangi Group. She provides key support services to the boards and support across the organisation to manaaki our manuhiri.
After working within kōhanga reo for sixteen years, Aisha found herself ready for the next chapter, whatever that was and however that looked. Aisha became a part time reliever at Nancy Winters Daycare Centre and worked in the hospitality industry at Coach Cafē where she is still part- time.
Aisha started in her current position with Ngāti Rangi in March 2020, two weeks before lockdown.
Jude Sinai
Redundancy Support Programme; kaimahi Support Liaison
jude.sinai@ngatirangi.com
Te Arawa/ Ngati Whakaue, Ngati Pikiao
Jude was employed by WPI pulpmill for 19 years where he also spent time as the First Union Executive and Delegate to Central Wood Industry.
He has had the privilege of serving on various Governance boards in the Ruapehu region including; Ngati Rangi Kura Kaupapa Board of Trustees, Kahui Maunga Snow Academy, and the oversight team at Waimarino Baptist Church.
He is raising four Tamariki under Ruapehu and is passionate about hunting, diving, golf and barbecuing the finest of meats! If there is anything that involves sourcing Kai from the paddock to plate, you can count on Jude to be there!
Jude hopes to positively effect change in our Ruapehu community through showing love, and doing the mahi alongside our whānau.
"Ko te aroha ki te Atua me ana mea hanga katoa."
jude.sinai@ngatirangi.com
Te Arawa/ Ngati Whakaue, Ngati Pikiao
Jude was employed by WPI pulpmill for 19 years where he also spent time as the First Union Executive and Delegate to Central Wood Industry.
He has had the privilege of serving on various Governance boards in the Ruapehu region including; Ngati Rangi Kura Kaupapa Board of Trustees, Kahui Maunga Snow Academy, and the oversight team at Waimarino Baptist Church.
He is raising four Tamariki under Ruapehu and is passionate about hunting, diving, golf and barbecuing the finest of meats! If there is anything that involves sourcing Kai from the paddock to plate, you can count on Jude to be there!
Jude hopes to positively effect change in our Ruapehu community through showing love, and doing the mahi alongside our whānau.
"Ko te aroha ki te Atua me ana mea hanga katoa."
Ayla Fryer
Kaiwhakarite EA Operations Support
Ayla.Fryer@ngatirangi.com
Ngāti Kuia
Ayla brings a strong background in customer service and operational support, shaped by years in the ski and hospitality industries. She first arrived in Ohakune during the 2019 winter season while working at Tūroa ski field on Koro Ruapehu. What started as a simple seasonal adventure quickly became something much bigger, she fell in love with the community and decided to make Ohakune her home.
Ayla brings a strong background in customer service and operational support, shaped by years in the ski and hospitality industries. She first arrived in Ohakune during the 2019 winter season while working at Tūroa ski field on Koro Ruapehu. What started as a simple seasonal adventure quickly became something much bigger, she fell in love with the community and decided to make Ohakune her home.
One of the standout moments in her journey was her very first pōwhiri with Ngāti Rangi as a seasonal worker. Being welcomed in, hearing the stories, and learning about the depth and significance of the rohe lit a spark for Ayla. It wasn’t just memorable, it completely shifted how she connected to this place and the people who make it what it is. "In this role, I hope I can give back to Ngāti Rangi and support all the amazing things they do for uri, the community, and the whenua. I’m here to contribute, uplift, and be part of something that genuinely makes a difference."
Ayla.Fryer@ngatirangi.com
Ngāti Kuia
Ayla brings a strong background in customer service and operational support, shaped by years in the ski and hospitality industries. She first arrived in Ohakune during the 2019 winter season while working at Tūroa ski field on Koro Ruapehu. What started as a simple seasonal adventure quickly became something much bigger, she fell in love with the community and decided to make Ohakune her home.
Ayla brings a strong background in customer service and operational support, shaped by years in the ski and hospitality industries. She first arrived in Ohakune during the 2019 winter season while working at Tūroa ski field on Koro Ruapehu. What started as a simple seasonal adventure quickly became something much bigger, she fell in love with the community and decided to make Ohakune her home.
One of the standout moments in her journey was her very first pōwhiri with Ngāti Rangi as a seasonal worker. Being welcomed in, hearing the stories, and learning about the depth and significance of the rohe lit a spark for Ayla. It wasn’t just memorable, it completely shifted how she connected to this place and the people who make it what it is.
"In this role, I hope I can give back to Ngāti Rangi and support all the amazing things they do for uri, the community, and the whenua. I’m here to contribute, uplift, and be part of something that genuinely makes a difference."
Kirsten Brown
Kaiāwhina Kaikaute
kirsten.brown@ngatirangi.com
Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Manawa.
Kirsten was born and raised in Taihape. She completed a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Commercial Law in 2022. Whilst finishing her studies, she took on the role as Finance Manager at Te Kurahuna Ltd, where she was able to apply her academic knowledge in a practical setting.
Kirsten is always up to something, she enjoys being out and about from playing Netball to spending time on the farm.
After working from home for the past three years, Kirsten was eager to embrace a new challenge that would get her out and about, engaging more deeply within her local area.
At Ngāti Rangi, she finds inspiration in being part of a whānau dedicated to creating better outcomes for their people, and fostering growth within the community.
kirsten.brown@ngatirangi.com
Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Manawa.
Kirsten was born and raised in Taihape. She completed a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Commercial Law in 2022. Whilst finishing her studies, she took on the role as Finance Manager at Te Kurahuna Ltd, where she was able to apply her academic knowledge in a practical setting.
Kirsten is always up to something, she enjoys being out and about from playing Netball to spending time on the farm.
After working from home for the past three years, Kirsten was eager to embrace a new challenge that would get her out and about, engaging more deeply within her local area.
At Ngāti Rangi, she finds inspiration in being part of a whānau dedicated to creating better outcomes for their people, and fostering growth within the community.
Sapphire Mapp
Kaiwhakatau Manuhiri - Reception and Administration Support
sapphire.mapp@ngatirangi.com
Ngāti Porou ki Hauraki
I ahu mai ahau i Kohutara te tomokanga, ki nga kohu apopo o Tokatea, ki nga wai rere o Harataunga. Ko Rakairoa toku wharenui, ko Ngaropi toku wharekai.
Sapphire grew up on Lochinver Station for most her life, until she moved to Ohakune in 2016. She graduated from Ruapehu College in 2020 and went on to work full time in hospitality, leading her to relocate to Picton for mahi. After moving home in 2023, she decided it was time to find mahi that aligned with her purpose and values and to pursue a career. Administration is her main role at Ngā Waihua o Paerangi, and she is also a Health and Safety rep for team Pae Whakato. She has experience handling finances and completed a data apprenticeship programme with Auraki.
"My future aspirations are to continue growing my data analysing knowledge and upskill myself in accounting software. These are both skills I plan to use to support the aspirations and programmes within Ngā Waihua o Paerangi."
Outside of mahi, you can find Sapphire exploring the Ngāhere, awa or taiao - she loves to keep active in any outdoor environment. Music has also always been a passion of Sapphire's. Writing, recording and producing her own songs is a process she finds great reward and enjoyment in.
sapphire.mapp@ngatirangi.com
Ngāti Porou ki Hauraki
I ahu mai ahau i Kohutara te tomokanga, ki nga kohu apopo o Tokatea, ki nga wai rere o Harataunga. Ko Rakairoa toku wharenui, ko Ngaropi toku wharekai.
Sapphire grew up on Lochinver Station for most her life, until she moved to Ohakune in 2016. She graduated from Ruapehu College in 2020 and went on to work full time in hospitality, leading her to relocate to Picton for mahi. After moving home in 2023, she decided it was time to find mahi that aligned with her purpose and values and to pursue a career. Administration is her main role at Ngā Waihua o Paerangi, and she is also a Health and Safety rep for team Pae Whakato. She has experience handling finances and completed a data apprenticeship programme with Auraki.
"My future aspirations are to continue growing my data analysing knowledge and upskill myself in accounting software. These are both skills I plan to use to support the aspirations and programmes within Ngā Waihua o Paerangi."
Outside of mahi, you can find Sapphire exploring the Ngāhere, awa or taiao - she loves to keep active in any outdoor environment. Music has also always been a passion of Sapphire's. Writing, recording and producing her own songs is a process she finds great reward and enjoyment in.