Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Maia Directors

 Marama Royal | Tama Davis | Malcolm Paterson | Robert Small | Shirley Ikkala | Joseph Royal

Marama Royal - Trust Chair

Marama is the eldest daughter of Meiha Hawke and was born and raised in Orakei attending Orakei School and Queen Victoria School in Parnell. Marama is a current the Deputy Chair, and an elected representative on the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust and has held this role since 2010. She is also a trustee for Ranginui 12 Trust and a director for Te Awanui Huka Pak based in Tauranga. Marama is married to Mark and recently they celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. They have 2 son's Joseph (30) and Mark-James (27) and their baby girl Maia-JoAnne (12). They are blessed with two beautiful mokopuna, Harmony (8) and Melody (4). Marama has spent most of her working career in senior management positions within government and non-government organisations and has extensive experience in strategic planning, relationship management, leadership and organisational change management. Her passion is working and supporting people especially her whānau whanui. Marama loves being around whānau, kaumatua and her Marae and is committed to working toward and achieving all the aspirations of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei whānau. 

Tama Davis - Whanau Director

Tama Davis joined Whai Maia Ltd recently, as a Whanau Director. His work experience spreads over the fields of mental health and addictions (within DHB, NGOs and iwi providers) and cultural leadership on behalf of the hapu. Tama has represented Ngati Whatua Orakei in kapa haka, locally and internationally. His academic background includes Indigenous Studies and he has graduated from the University of Auckland with a postgraduate diploma in Maori Business Development. He is the Pou Arahi/Cultural Supervisor for Homecare Medical, and director at Ahikaroa Enterprises Ltd, where he promotes mana whenuatanga and the significance of Whatua Orakei in Tamaki.

Tama brings his experience and love for the whanau and passion for securing a bright future for Ngati Whatua Orakei tamariki and mokopuna. This includes identity, whanaungatanga, haoura and matauranga.  His interests are in promoting iwi identity through kapa haka, purakau and AR/VR platforms.  

Tama is married to Lucia, who recently completed her PHD in interethnic parenting. After years of daily commute from West Auckland to Orakei, to give their Romanian Maori children a Ngati Whatua upbringing, Tama and Lucia consider themselves fortunate to be back home on the papakainga, within the Kainga Tuatahi complex.

Malcolm Paterson - Whanau Director

Malcolm Paterson is Ngāti Whātua of Ōrākei and Kaipara. His mother was Davina Backhouse-Smith, and his kuia Rachel ('Did') Povey.

Robert Small - Independent Director

Rob Has had a distinguished career in Local government with a particular focus on Parks Recreation and the Environment. He has a passion for Auckland having been the Director of Regional Parks and Botanic Gardens in Auckland. In this role, he was responsible for the acquisition of a number of our regional parks. These sites are also most often significant sites for Iwi in the greater Auckland Region He spent 15 years of his career in Australia and as a consultant for part of that time worked on partnership policies between the aboriginal tribes and National Parks in Victoria.

Rob is of Ngapuhi descent coming from Tuhirangi marae in the Waima valley.

He has over ten years’ experience as a chief executive in Both local government and private enterprise. He has been a world President of the International Parks and Recreation movement and has been a trustee and head Judge for the world’s most liveable Cities competition. He has a strong passion for social and environmental issues and in particular those associated with first peoples.