WERA Aotearoa Charitable Trust was birthed in 2008 from a need to provide community development services that are effective and relative to all NZ communities.
The future looks busy for WERA Aotearoa Charitable Trust and we consider it a privilege to work with whānau and communities celebrating their success and creating a strong future.
Our Trust is made up of staff and management who have worked in whānau and community development at local, regional and national levels giving us a mix of experiences, backgrounds and qualifications. This combination has transformed into innovative, unique services specific to Aotearoa.
Our Foundation
The central foundation of the Trust is the financial, social and educational well being of individuals, their families and their communities. To achieve this we have developed services that have been recognised as innovative and pioneering gaining the attention of various communities and organisations nationally and internationally.
We are driven by our vision: 'Communities are solid, strong and self supporting'
Since our inception in 2008, we now provide the following community development services:
- Youth Services for 16-18 year olds in the Tokoroa Region
- Training courses for Youth in career pathways
- Youth Worker Training for the Central North Island
- Tikanga Maori Motivational programmes held on marae
- Hokai Tapuwae Kaupapa Māori Korero
- Re-integration Services
- Emergency Housing Support
- Property Management Services
- Employment and Training Placement Services
- Whanau Navigation and Truancy Reduction Services
Our Trustees
Jonathon Hagger - Chairperson
Ngai Takato
Jonathon has a MBA from the University of Waikato.
Jonathon has 16 years' experience working in management, tertiary education and the health care sector. Jonathon is the Chief Executive for Rotorua Community Hospice Trust and has been in this role since October 2019. He has experience in not for profit governance through sitting on boards that awhi whanau and vulnerable peoples.
Jeanna Love - Trustee
Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāi Tūhoe & Ngāti Kahungunu
Jeanna has a BMS and Postgraduate Diploma in Finance
Jeanna is the commercial manager for Poutama Trust managing the trusts finances and investments as well as delivering advice to Māori businesses nationally. For the last 20 years Jeanna and her husband Jim Love ran the NZ Sports Academy using sports as the vehicle to educate rangatahi. She is also a board member of Manaaki Ora Trust, which governs Te Utuhina Manaakitanga Trust and Tipu Ora Trust. Bay of Plenty committee member for NZ Community Trust, Management committee member of Regional Business Partnership BOP and recently appointed as an observer to Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust.
Norm Carter - Trustee
Ngāti Awa, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui and Te Arawa
Norm has worked extensively in the public sector for over 50 years. Norm has held senior positions working at the Employment Service, Tertiary Education Commission and Te Puni Kokiri.
Norm is the Chairman of Te Kaha 15B Ahuwhenua Trust who won the inaugural Ahuwhenua Trophy in 2020 for Maori Excellence in Horticulture, as well as whanau trusts throughout the Eastern Bay of Plenty. He has an entrepreneurial background having owned businesses with his wife including over 20 years with Early Childcare.
Mawera Karetai - Trustee
Kati Mamoe, Waitaha, Rapuwai, Kati Hawea
Mawera has a Doctorate in Psychology and a Masters in Environmental Management.
With over 20 years of governance experience, Mawera's fields of expertise are in the public, private, philanthropic and volunteer sectors. As well as her governance work, Mawera is leading a significant social research project, and lectures in the Commerce department of Otago University.
Mawera's research interest is in social change, climate change impact, and community-led approaches to problem-solving.
Our Locations
