A talk with Robbie Paul and Ben Ngaia, presented as a part of the ‘Tū Mai Te Tiriti’ | ‘Upraising the Treaty in Tertiary Education’ seminars from Tuia Te Ako 2023. 

Robbie Paul (Waihanga Ara Rau)

Following a 20-year military career, Robbie Paul has spent the last 20 years in the infrastructure industry, providing training and advice in vocational education, and working with iwi Māori on national infrastructure projects. Robbie's current position is Poumatua at Waihanga Ara Rau, the Workforce Development Council for Construction and Infrastructure. His role is to support the CEO on a journey of transformation that leverages the Māori voice, expands kaupapa Māori outcomes, provides equitable opportunities and guide the pathway towards a mana-enhancing Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership.

Ben Ngaia (Ringa Hora)

Ben Ngaia is from Waikanae and is of Te Āti Awa descent. He was raised in the Wellington region for much of his life, and now resides in Te Awamutu. Ben is the Poumatua of Ringa Hora Workforce Development Council. The role of Poumatua is to have oversight of the organisational activities that give effect to one of its core functions and responsibilities, that being Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and supporting Māori-Crown relations. Ben’s main passion is Te reo Māori and tikanga as it pertains to his people. This passion has guided Ben in his professional career where his roles have primarily been underpinned by Mātauranga Māori, including te reo Māori education publishing organisations, tertiary providers and government education entities, and post-treaty settlement trusts.