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"Evidence shows that Māori are disproportionately represented in negative social statistics including in health, education, and incarceration. We consider this reality to be unacceptable, unjust, and avoidable. We seek to address these inequities by educating, training, mentoring, and advising individuals, groups, and organisations to develop cultural intelligence in order to engage effectively with Māori."
He ao poipoi mana tangata - a fair and just society
Kia tūturu te ao tōkeke - leading toward cultural intelligence
Hone's background is in education. He attained a Tohu Mātauranga Māori and Post-Graduate Diploma in teaching and taught for over 30 years. Hone has held senior leadership positions in the education, health and iwi sectors, including: Director Māori & Pacific at Careers New Zealand, Executive Director Māori at New Zealand Correspondence School, Chief Executive at Rangitāne o Wairarapa Inc, and Chief Executive at Whaiora - a health and social services provider where he launched that community’s first Very Low Cost Access medical centre.
Due to experiencing racism and seeing the inequities while working in the health sector, Hone decided to work independently and incorporate Engaging Well Ltd in 2013 to provide much needed education and training in that sector. He is an experienced presenter and facilitator, an effective communicator, and articulates complex issues in an engaging and informative way.
Hone’s first language is Te Reo Māori and he grew up in Rotorua in and around his elders and marae immersed in Te Ao Māori. He has extensive experience leading and advising in tikanga matters including karakia, whaikōrero, kapa-haka and pōhiri.
Outside of work, Hone is a playwright, a composer, a performer and enjoys singing with family and friends when the opportunity arises. Hone has four children and three grandchildren and values whānau dearly.
Aperahama has a strong leadership and education background. He was Head Prefect at Rotorua Boys’ High School, President of the Waikato University Māori Law Students Association, and recipient of several prestigious scholarships including the Ngārimu VC Undergraduate Scholarship and the Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship for excellence in sports. Aperahama has qualifications in law (with First Class Honours) and arts (Te Reo and Tikanga Māori) and was admitted to the bar in 2017.
Aperahama brings a wealth of knowledge in Te Tiriti o Waitangi; he completed a focussed research paper and an Honours Dissertation on this subject while at Waikato University. His practical experience includes working at Kāhui Legal from 2014-2019, a specialist law firm working at the forefront of Māori development and Te Tiriti o Waitangi issues.
Aperahama grew up speaking and studying Te Reo Māori which is one of his many passions, and he is a natural teacher with experience as a Teacher Aide at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Wairarapa and as a Student Mentor at Waikato University Faculty of Law.
Outside of work, Aperahama enjoys spending time with his whānau and friends, keeping fit and healthy, competing in sports and kapa-haka, and diving for kaimoana.
