Te Ohu Kaimoana has welcomed three summer interns. This is the second year we’ve offered internships to university students over the summer. It’s a great opportunity to:

  • introduce our rangatahi to the policy mahi we do in fisheries and aquaculture
  • work on a project that develops their skills and interests
  • build networks and experience by working in a Māori organisation.

We’ve enjoyed having Reto, Ants and Kiri in the office over the last month and appreciate the valuable contribution they’re making to our mahi. We thought we’d let them introduce themselves… read their profiles below to find out more.

Te Kirikātōkia Rangihau

Ko Manawaru te maunga
Ko Ohinemataroa te awa
Nō ngā hapu maha o Ruatāhuna
Ko Tūhoe te iwi

I grew up in… Te Urewera, in the small village of Ruatāhuna.

I’m studying… in my second year at the University of Te Herenga Waka, studying towards a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Management and Te Reo.

At Te Ohu Kaimoana, my main mahi is … helping out Te Ohu’s finance team, as a financial assistant (Tai Kaute) and also cover some administration roles.

I think Māori fisheries is an important kaupapa because … we as tangata whenua o Aotearoa should have rights to this tāonga of ours as we have protected Tangaroa for many centuries, and Te Ohu ensures that, we can uphold these traditions.

In the future I would like to … to use all the skills and knowledge I have gained at Te Ohu and implement them in our local Māori businesses when I return home with my Degree.

In my spare time you’ll find me … enjoying the nice hot summer (that Wellys has not yet provided).

Reto Blattner De-Vries

Ngāti Pākehā ki Rawene

I grew up in …. Rawene, South Hokianga

I’m studying … Law and Politics at Victoria University.

At Te Ohu Kaimoana, my main mahi is … marine aquaculture and what the framework for open ocean aquaculture would look like for Māori.

I think Māori fisheries is an important kaupapa because … it provides Māori with an economic base to allow iwi and hapū to pursue and implement their own programmes as part of their tino rangatiratanga, guaranteed in Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

In the future I would like to … study towards a masters to allow me to gain greater insight into increasing Māori representation within our legal system, and to work for Māori in small rural communities similar to where I come from.

In my spare time you’ll find me … playing piano/guitar, getting amongst any type of sport, or doing some land-based fishing – (although I haven’t yet been blessed by the atua with any luck on that front).

Anthony Manawatukituki Wanakore

Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Hāua, Ngāti Whitikaupeka

I grew up in … The almighty Taumarunui – Te Rohe Pōtae . . . Dōōits!

I’m studying… A Bachelor of Arts Majoring in Māori resource management and Māori studies (minoring in everything else available at Victoria University because I couldn’t make up my mind SMH)

At Te Ohu Kaimoana, my main mahi is … assisting the policy team to develop and promote robust policy advice that advances Māori interests in fishing. As well as, the office dishwasher, the cuppa tea maker and the occasional chief consultant on life hacks.

I think Māori fisheries is an important kaupapa because … it is something that our kaumātua and kuia felt strongly about. Upholding the integrity of the mahi in a way that reflects the visions of those who paved the way is our inherited duty. We have the most to gain and the most to lose.

In the future I would like to … continue working closely with our whānau to achieve the best outcomes for us all. How I will achieve this is probably a question that I will be asking myself for the rest of my life.

In the weekends / holidays you’ll find me … strumming on a flat guitar, teasing my nephews or nieces, attempting to start a keto diet for the 5th time this year or diving in Te Pātaka-Kai-o-Tamahou ki Breaker Bay.