Our Team | Tō Mātou Whānau
The Aukaha News whānau and our parnters are a powerhouse of experience, talent, and dedication, driving the future of reo Māori journalism.
Our executive leadership boasts more than a century of combined expertise in producing daily reo Māori news, establishing us as one of the most seasoned news teams in the industry. We've significantly expanded our reach through key partnerships, including Taiuru News (formerly Te Reo o Te Uru, covering Taranaki, Whanganui, and Manawatū), and the launch of our national service, Tuia, which focuses on Tāmaki Makaurau and Ngā Take Tōrangapū (Political Affairs).
Behind every story, our dedicated production crew, comprising senior to intermediate talent, ensures the consistent delivery of high-quality news content. On the front line, our reporters and presenters range from experienced seniors to promising intermediate and junior talent.
At AUKAHA NEWS, TAIURU NEWS & TUIA, our commitment extends beyond reporting. We are deeply invested in growing the next generation of reo Māori journalists, grounding them in reporting excellence, quality te reo Māori, and uncompromising cultural integrity.
Maioha Panapa
Multimedia Reporter - Aukaha News
Maioha contributes to Aukaha News’ comprehensive news coverage across Tainui, Te Arawa and Tauranga Moana.
Te Kawa Paora
Multimedia Reporter - Aukaha News
Te Kawa is an Aukaha News reporter and presenter who has covered major national events including Kiingi Tuheitia’s tangihanga, Waitangi Day celebrations, and Budget 2025 broadcasts. His reporting demonstrates strong te reo Māori capability and deep connection to iwi and community stories. He’s known for his engaging interview style and ability to bring authentic Māori perspectives to breaking news and
Macie Kuki
Multimedia Junior Reporter - Aukaha News
Macie is a multimedia reporter bringing energy and commitment to Aukaha News’ mission of delivering authentic Māori-led storytelling.
Taroi Black
Multimedia Reporter - Tuia
Taroi Black is an experienced multimedia journalist having started at Whakaata Māori in 2007 and more recently as a Senior Reporter/Story Producer at Te Karere TVNZ. He joins the Tuia team as its inaugural Tāmaki Makaurau reporter.
Phoenix Manley-Green
Multimedia Reporter - Taiuru News
He raukura a Phoenix Manley-Green o te Kaupapa o Whakaako i ngā kaikawe kōrero reo Māori o Te Tai Hauāuru e kī a nei ko Te Ia Ka Oho, ā, ko ia hoki te kairipoata mō Taranaki ki roto o Taiuru News.
Te Kakenga Kawiti-Bishara
Multimedia Reporter - Taiuru News
Te Kakenga Kawiti-Bishara (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Whanganui, Te Iwi Morehu) graduated from the first intake of the Te Rito Journalism Cadetship and is still telling news stories focused on the Whanganui region for the past few years.
Regan Paranihi
Multimedia Reporter - Taiuru News
Regan Paranihi (Ngāti Tūwharetoa) is an experienced journalist before joining the Taiuru News team she was the video journalist for TVNZ’s Te Karere based in Palmerston North.
Maharaia Waaka
Camera Operator - Aukaha News
Maharaia is part of the Aukaha News team contributing to the organisation’s mission of delivering quality Māori news content.
Naomi Grace
Camera Operator - Aukaha News
Naomi is a camera operator for Aukaha News, providing essential technical expertise to capture visual stories across the rohe.
Roihana Nuri
Executive Producer - Aukaha News
Roihana is the founder of Aukaha News and former Executive Producer of Te Karere at TVNZ. A veteran of Māori broadcasting with decades of experience, he led the historic collaborative coverage of Kiingi Tuheitia’s tangihanga in 2024, bringing together the largest group of Māori broadcasters to ever work together. He’s been a driving force in advocating for Māori-led news and
Ripeka Timutimu
Executive Producer - Tuia
Ripeka (Tūhoe, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui) is co-chair of Kawea Te Rongo, the Independent Māori Journalists Association. She has worked as a producer for Tahu News and brings more than two decades of industry experience to Aukaha News. Ripeka has been a vocal advocate for Māori media sustainability and has led calls for government support of te reo Māori
Tamzyn Pue
Taiuru News Manager
Tamzyn Pue (Ngāti Maru, Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Ruanui) has been managing the Te Reo o Te Uru news team since its inception five years ago. She’s a staunch advocate of te reo me ōna tikanga and a very fluent speaker of Taranaki reo.
Sandra Richmond
Production Manager - Aukaha News & Tuia
Sandra has over 20 years of experience working in production across more than 150 programmes, events, shows and exhibitions in film, TV, stage, radio and the arts. She was Production Manager and Co-Producer of the first five series of Kiwa, documentaries profiling Aotearoa New Zealand’s well-known and up-and-coming Māori artists over 30 years. This groundbreaking work created one of New
Jason Ake
General Manager
Jason is an experienced communications professional serving as General Manager of Aukaha News. He also serves as General Manager of Communications and Engagement at Waikato-Tainui, where he leads a team of professional communications and marketing staff. Jason is a Panel Member for the Ministerial Advisory Panel on Māori Education and serves on the Māori Committee for the NZ Law Commission.
Mana Wikaire-Lewis
Digital Producer - Aukaha News
Mana is a digital producer and journalist who has worked across multiple Māori media platforms including Te Ao Māori News. His work spans digital storytelling, online content production, and multimedia journalism, bringing contemporary approaches to Māori news delivery.
Titikawhena Ngatai
Graphic Artist
Titikawhena is part of the Aukaha News whānau working to deliver authentic Māori perspectives through news media.
Sean McKay
Editor
Sean is part of the experienced Aukaha News team delivering daily te reo Māori journalism.
Sharon Te Rangi
Programme Director
Sharon Te Rangi is an experienced Programme Director with a strong background in Māori broadcasting and community development. Currently serving as Programme Director at Tūwharetoa FM Radio since 2016, she oversees all aspects of the station’s programming, guiding staff to deliver quality te reo Māori content while upholding tikanga values within the Ngāti Tūwharetoa rohe.
Trina Koroheke
Station Manager
Trina contributes to Aukaha News’ kaupapa of revitalising te reo Māori through quality journalism.
Alana Broughton
Multimedia Reporter
Alana Broughton joins the Taiuru News team as the Taranaki Reporter and has vast experience in iwi radio and Māori media.
