About Us
Tomika Trust has proudly supported wellbeing in Tauranga Moana for decades, fostering strength, connection, and independence. Inspired by the legacy of Tomika Te Mūtunga, we honour our whakapapa in our approach to supporting wellbeing.
Resilience, leadership, and interconnectedness are at the heart of everything we do. By focusing on the individual and their whānau, we offer a foundation of support that promotes self-determination and celebrates personal journeys.
Our History
Te Tomika Trust was founded in 1990 by a whānau in Maungatapu. The organisational founder, Hinerau Grey, identified the need for a place that offers support to whānau who had recently been discharged from the hospital.
Overcoming their challenges, Hinerau spoke with the Tauranga Moana hospital board and received a whare where her whānau could receive the required support. This whare was located in Hairini on Haukore Street. The whānau volunteered their time and did what needed to be done to ensure their whānau received the love and care they needed upon returning from the hospital.
Thirty-five years later, Te Tomika now has nine residential whare, one community team and one supported independent living team located throughout Tauranga moana.
Our Board
Reweti Te Mete
Ko wai au?
Ko Takitimu me Mātaatua ngā waka
Ko Mauao te maunga
Ko Tauranga te moana
Ko Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi me Ngāti Pūkenga ngā iwi
Ko Reweti Te Mete taku ingoa
Kia ora e te whānau. My name is Reweti Te Mete. I have been working in the health sector for a total of 20 years. It is an honour and privilege to be on the Board of Te Tomika. I currently work at Ngāti Kahu Hauora in the position of General Manager.
I’m married to Sarah; we have six children and four mokopuna.
Emily Gudsell
Ko wai au?
Ko Mauao te Maunga
Ko Te Awanui te Moana
Ko Mātaatua te waka
Ko Ngāi Te Rangi te iwi
Ko Ngāti Tapu te hapū
Ko Waikari te marae
Nō Matapihi ahau
Ko Emily Gudsell (nee Ihaka) taku ingoa,
Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa
I have been employed by Te Rūnanga O Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi Trust since 2017 starting in Public Health. I am now privileged to hold a position as part of the Executive Leadership Team managing our Commercial, Social Housing and Asset Property portfolio, Mobile Health Service and Contracts Management position.
I have been employed in other not for profit organisations, a business owner and sole contractor, and worked as a commercial property manager for national and international companies.
I hold various Board Positions within and representing my hapū and within my community including Director position representing mana whenua in local government partnerships for both joint ownership of land and city development projects such as Te Manawataki O Te Papa Tauranga CBD redevelopment.
Kathy Mitchell
Ko wai au?
Ko Putuaki te maunga
Ko Tarawera te awa
Ko Arawa te waka
Ko Ngāti Mākino me Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau ngā iwi
Ko Hahuru te Marae
Ko Kathy Mitchell taku ingoa
Kia ora e te whānau, I’m very privileged to be serving as the Treasurer on the Board of Trustees at Te Tomika Trust.
My professional background spans both science and accounting, underpinning my strong commitment to the financial health and strategic sustainability of our organisation. I have owned my business in the accounting sector for 18 years, gaining invaluable knowledge from a diverse array of business environments and extensive experience as the management accountant for various not-for-profits. My strengths in systems, financial oversight, problem-solving, and meticulous attention to detail guide my approach.
On a personal note, I am married to Bryce, and together we are the proud parents of two adult sons. We live in beautiful Mount Maunganui and make sure to take time to enjoy all that the Bay of Plenty has to offer.
Passionate about mental health care, I am on a journey to deepen my understanding of Te Ao Māori and its holistic approaches to wellbeing. My principal goal is ensuring that our tangata whaiora are able to live their best possible lives in the community, with Te Tomika Trust providing a safe and caring environment in which they can thrive.
John Peri
Ko wai au?
Ko Putauaki te maunga.
Tarawera te awa.
Te Arawa te waka.
Ngati Tuwharetoa ki te Tai me Ngati Makino nga iwi.
Ti hei mauori ora.
Ko John Ray Kaperiera tenei. Hi kahui kaumatua no te rohe o Te Teko, Kawerau, Matata me nga hikoitanga ki Otamarakau. Hi.
I’m a retired educator but someone who is still very active in iwi enterprises and developments.
I still lead and advise in trustboards in my home areas and very involved in the daily operations of many iwi initiatives.
I am a historian for my iwi and holder of many whakapapa resources for whanau/hapu in my areas of influence. My written resources are from a lifetime of collection, sharing and writings.
I have served on the Te Tomika Trust for ten or so years , some as chairman and cultural resource person. I have a strong interest to support the general health of our people. I work hard to ensure we thrive and plan ahead with sound pathways and strategic plans which keep us as a people focused and successful.
I’m a busy person in our many tribal activities and planning.
Taku ngakau he humarie. Taku whai he mana ora mo tatau.
Taku kaha he tohutohu painga . Ka ora. Ka tika. Ka rangatira te maha.
Tena tatau katoa.
Tomika Te Mūtunga
Te Tomika Trust was named after the eponymous ancestor Tōmika te Mūtunga, who was born on Motuhoa Island off Tauranga and died in 1867 in Rangiwaea, the small island juxtaposed to Matakana Island.
Tōmika te Mūtunga was the paramount chief of the Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāi Tuwhiwhia people of Tauranga Moana, whose traditional tribal areas extended out from Tauranga to include Matakana and Motuhoa, and Mauao and Kaikati-Athenree.
Nau te rourou, naku te rourou,
ka ora ai te iwi
With your basket and my basket, the people will thrive.
Our Brand
Our tohu powerfully represents who we are and what we stand for, symbolising resilience, mana, and leadership through the qualities of our tūpuna, Tomika Te Mūtunga.
Te Toka a Tirikawa
Embodies resilience, symbolising our ability to withstand challenges and remain steadfast.
Mauao
Represents the strength, unity, and presence of our people in Tauranga Moana.
Motuhoa
The birthplace of Tomika Te Mūtunga, represents his skills, mana, and leadership qualities.
Te Awanui
(the negative space) symbolises our journey and the pathways we navigate.
Takarangi Spiral
The takarangi symbolises our tūpuna Tomika Te Mūtunga through his mataora and represents the connection between different elements of life, taha wairua, taha hinengaro, taha tinana and taha whānau.
Te Tomika Te Mūtunga
The toki poutangata symbolises resilience, mana, and leadership, reflecting the qualities that Tomika te Mūtunga embodied. The toki represents the tools we provide to empower and guide individuals in their journey.