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 Panapa (Waikato) is a dedicated news journalist and reporter for Aukaha News, recognized for her commitment to public interest, iwi-centered storytelling, and authentic Māori perspectives. A graduate of the Te Rito Journalism programme and former reporter for Te Ao Māori News, she is based in Rotorua and brings impressive versatility to the newsroom. She expertly navigates complex investigative pieces
Te Kawa Paora
Multimedia Reporter - Casual
Te Kawa remains a valued part of our Aukaha News whānau, continuing his mahi with us as a casual reporter alongside his role at his iwi station, Raukawa Vibes. A former full-time reporter for Aukaha News, Te Kawa brings extensive experience to his mahi, having covered significant national events such as Kiingi Tuheitia’s tangihanga, Waitangi Day celebrations, and the Budget
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.
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.
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 (Te Arawa, Mataatua, Tainui) is a founder of Aukaha News and a veteran Māori broadcasting journalist and producer with decades of experience spanning both mainstream and Māori media. A distinguished leader in news and current affairs, Roihana has held key roles at TVNZ, including Executive Producer of Te Karere and Producer of Q+A for 10-years. His extensive background at TVNZ also includes
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.
Waimanea Nuri
Multi-Media Journalist
Waimanea Nuri (Te Arawa, Mataatua, Tainui) is a promising young broadcaster and multimedia journalist with a proven history in storytelling and environmental advocacy. A graduate of the inaugural Te Rito Journalism programme, she also holds a Diploma in Content Creation Broadcasting (Level 5) from Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi. Waimanea began her career as a multimedia reporter at Te Ao Māori News before
