Iris Maori Development Team
The IRIS Māori Development Team was established in 2009.
Together, they lead and guide IRIS on Tikanga Māori and ensure that IRIS services consistently
embrace appropriate and respectful practices encouraging participation that delivers strong,
positive gains for Māori health.
As a health service provider, IRIS views its organisational and professional links to Tangata
Whenua (local people) and other Iwi (tribes) and Mataawaka (the many other tribal groups) as
important components necessary for strengthening relationships and delivering best service
practices to its clients.
The Māori Development Team also leads our Hui, Powhiri, Whakatau and many blessings.
Kaumatua - Stan Kukutai (Tainui)
IRIS Kaumatua, Stan Kukutai or ‘Papa Stan’ as he is known within the IRIS community, leads the IRIS Māori Development Team which oversees the retention and integration of Tikanga Maori principles in all procedures undertaken by IRIS.
At an early age Stan became well versed in Te Reo and Kapa Haka while attending Te Kohanga School in the Port Waikato community of Tuakau. At age 17 Stan first spoke on behalf of his whanau on various marae.
After moving to Auckland, Stan embarked on a career with the Department of Corrections, where over a thirty three year period as a prison officer he introduced and developed Tikanga Māori principles into Mt Eden Prison. He established the prison’s first Māori cultural group in the early 1970s and throughout his career represented the prison on numerous occasions on marae around the region. The Justice Department acknowledged Stan’s work with Maori in 1995 when he was presented with the highest distinction (Huia Level E) for his exceptional skills in Te Reo and Ahuatanga.
Stan joined the IRIS team as Kaumatua in 2009 and is passionate about IRIS’ work with people
with disabilities and making their lives more enjoyable by teaching Māori songs, Tikanga and
prayers. He has met numerous IRIS clients and states, “to see the many IRIS Support Workers
doing their Mahi is a real gem.”
Blessed with a great sense of humour, Stan is enjoying his ‘retirement’ as a resident at Henderson Waitakere Gardens. To relax, Stan enjoys golf, catching a game of rugby league and socialising with friends at the R.S.A.
Stan is lovingly supported by his two daughters and two mokopuna.
Kaiwhakahaere - Anaru Te Tai (Nga Puhi)
IRIS Kaiwhakahaere, Anaru Te Tai of Ngaa Puhi and Te Rarawa descent was raised in West Auckland where he lives today. After the birth of his first two children, Anaru became immersed in Te Reo, specifically in Te Ataarangi and undertook a Bachelors Degree in Maori Studies and Social Anthropology at Auckland University, graduating in 2005.
As IRIS Kaiwhakahaere, Anaru has been instrumental in developing Māori processes and
instructing Māori protocol for the IRIS community. He assists Papa Stan Kukutai and Whaea
Rauhinga Tuhoro in delivering many aspects pertaining to Tikanga Maori within IRIS.
Anaru sees the IRIS Māori Development Team working on two levels. The first level involves providing learning programmes such as Kapa Haka and Tikanga Maori. The second level involves services of a more personal quality and ceremonial in content, such as the naming and blessing of a home or service, Powhiri and Whakatau, Tangihanga and any pastoral care and advice that maybe required.
Anaru believes the opportunity to directly participate in ceremonial events provides a sense of belonging and ownership and develops an atmosphere where bonds are strengthened between each other and IRIS stakeholders.
Married for thirty two years to his wife, Te Orihau Te Tai of Ngaa Puhi and Te Whakatoohea lineage, Anaru currently teaches Te Reo at Unitec University in Auckland and has four children and two beautiful little girls for mokopuna.
Whaea - Rauhinga Tuhoro (Tainui)
IRIS Whaea, Rauhinga Tuhoro was raised in Tuakau and has been involved in a number of industries including New Zealand Rail and the banking industry where she had a long career of over twenty years.
Rauhinga’s involvement with IRIS began ten years ago, initially working alongside the team in
raising her special needs grand-daughter and later becoming her support carer.
From this initial involvement Rauhinga was quick to see the benefits of music and dancing, either through conventional Kapa Haka or Waiata in her grand-daughters development and on- going therapy.
Rauhinga believes that through sharing of Tikanga, Karakia, Waiata and Kapa Haka with clients
and IRIS staff we allow ourselves to communicate on an open level.
As IRIS Whaea, Rauhinga has been fundamental in ensuring IRIS’ Māori processes and protocols have been developed and adopted to benefit the entire IRIS community. She assists Papa Stan Kukutai and Anaru Te Tai in delivering many aspects pertaining to Tikanga Maori within IRIS.
In addition to the work she does with IRIS, Rauhinga is kept busy with her three children.