Te Rika Temara-Benfell

Among the graduates of Manu Taiko - Toro Parirau, New Zealand Certificate in Māori Governance (Level 4) at Toi Ohomai is Rotorua Lakes Councillor and Chief Executive of Te Puna Ariki Charitable Trust, Te Rika Temara-Benfell (Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Manawa, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue, Waikato).

Te Rika serves on multiple trusts and boards, is Deputy Chair of FENZ Bay of Plenty (LAC), a Trustee for Toi Matarua Indigenous Research Centre, a Global Advisory Council Member at the Lego Foundation and a Tribal Delegate to the Manawarū Tribal Authority. In 2024, he was named Emerging Māori Director of the Year by the Institute of Directors New Zealand. 

Te Rika (who also holds a Bachelor of Law, Master of Laws and advanced te reo Māori qualifications) says he chose to complete Manu Taiko - Toro Parirau, New Zealand Certificate in Māori Governance (Level 4) to further understand the theory and fundamentals behind effective Māori governance and support his career path forward. 

“I was working in professional leadership but wanted to gain more experience in professional governance. Achieving a Māori governance qualification provided a foundational milestone for me as I progressed in my mahi. As well as upskilling, I built confidence in an area that I was already really passionate about,” he says.

Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology’s year-long Māori governance programme equips learners with the essential skills required to serve effectively on boards, trusts, and committees. 

Attending one three-hour night class a fortnight, ākonga gain a strong understanding of legal duties and fiduciary responsibilities, learn how to read financial statements and ensure compliance, deepen their knowledge of Te Ture Whenua Māori Act, and build confidence in representing their whānau, hāpori and whenua. 

Te Rika says although he completed his qualification four years ago, he recalls it like it was yesterday.

“The whole ahua (vibe) in the classroom was awesome. There were 15 people in my class… so lots of opportunities for one-on-one support from the tutor as well collaboration with classmates. I remember we were allowed to submit assignments in either te reo Māori, English or both, which made for a really inclusive and inspiring learning environment,” he says.

“There were people in the course from all different walks of life and at different stages of their governance journey. This created a tuakana – teina (mentor - mentee) atmosphere in class which we all benefited from. Many of us still keep in touch and there have been times we’ve collaborated on community kaupapa because our work and priorities intersect given the organisations we’ve gone on to represent,” Te Rika says.

Today, serving as a Rotorua Lakes Councillor as well as leading Te Puna Ariki Charitable Trust as Chief Executive means Te Rika works long hours to fit it all in.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way though,” he says. “I like the balance I have in my career between governance and leadership. It means I can see and understand the connectedness of systemic changes and how decisions made at the governance level are having a positive impact on the ground for our communities… what their lived experience is.”

Te Rika’s biggest piece of advice to anyone interested in governance is that there are opportunities for everyone. 

“People assume governance isn’t for them. They often assume governance or directorships are the mountain top and they’re not quite at that stage yet. But the truth is, it’s for anyone who has strong values, big aspirations, and a desire to help people. I have had some of my greatest learnings in local not-for-profits, community organisations, and charities. For me, these spaces built my confidence and capability before going onto Marae, hapū and large governance boards. It’s a huge privilege and responsibility to make important decisions about our future, operations and communities. There are always governance gaps that need to be filled to ensure organisations can be directed effectively,” he says.

“People would be surprised how they could contribute. Governance is about helping to create the tomorrow that we all want. So if you’re a future thinker, care about your hāpori and want to build a better tomorrow for our tamariki and mokopuna, you have what it takes,” Te Rika says.