2026 Tuia Rangatahi Leadership recipients announced

Far North District Council is proud to announce its 2026 Tuia Rangatahi Leadership recipients, Elyse King and Noah McBirney-Warnes.

The pair, who hail from the Hokianga and Te Hiku respectively, were chosen as the standout candidates in this year’s application process.

Each year, as part of the Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs, the Tuia Rangatahi Leadership Programme is offered as an intentional, long-term and intergenerational approach to develop the leadership capacity of rangatahi Māori throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.

The programme combines mentoring, community contribution and marae-based wānanga to strengthen identity, confidence and leadership capability in young Māori aged 18–25.

For Noah and Elyse, the opportunity to participate was a chance to further develop their leadership skills.

“I felt incredibly honoured to be selected and being selected affirmed the work I’ve already been doing, while also reinforcing the responsibility I carry as a young leader,” Noah said.

“It’s a privilege to represent our community in this space and I’m excited to continue growing my leadership while contributing meaningfully alongside other rangatahi.”

“I’m really looking forward to the youth development and connection throughout the country, and the collective generational growth beyond that,” Elyse said.

“This programme will give me the chance to hear and learn about the experiences of rangatahi from other iwi and that knowledge will help me evolve and adapt my own stance and future plans for pathways.”

Tuia Rangatahi recently released its 2026 programme schedule, outlining a year-long leadership journey designed to grow, connect and empower rangatahi Māori across Aotearoa.

Selected rangatahi will be expected to undertake a 100-hour community contribution project in their respective communities and will attend five national wānanga, offering immersive, marae‑based learning experiences that strengthen cultural identity, leadership capability and connections among rangatahi Māori, supported by mentoring and community contribution.

As part of the programme, each Mayor selects 1-2 rangatahi Māori from their district to develop a mutually beneficial mentoring relationship to enhance their ability to contribute well to community.

For Te Hiku o Te Ika, Kahika Moko Tepania and Cr Arohanui Allen have taken on this role, who will attend wānanga with Elyse and Noah, monthly catchups (including informal hui) and participate in formal occasions.

Kahika Tepania and Cr Allen say the relationship will also provide both parties with the opportunity to gain a deeper insight into intergenerational issues and rangatahi experiences.

“Our rangatahi are our future, so it’s really important that we are able to create pathways like this to help open up these leadership opportunities where we can,” Kahika Tepania said.

“This is my third term working in this space with our rangatahi and I’ve seen the benefits first-hand of this programme.”

“I’m really excited to have Elyse and Noah join us in our Rangatahi Portfolio so we can get a real insight into the aspirations of our taiohi,” Cr Allen said.

“By having them join us, it ensures we have their voice at the table as we design and plan how council works with and for taiohi,” Allen said.

For Elyse and Noah- who have just attended their first wānanga in Waikato- say that was the reason for applying to the programme, because they know first-hand that rangatahi want to be heard and meaningfully involved in decision-making that affects them.

“Rangatahi want strength, stability and wellbeing socially, culturally and economically for their whānau, hapū and iwi,” Noah said.

“Across Te Hiku, there is a clear aspiration for spaces where rangatahi can thrive, where te ao Māori is upheld and where future generations are set up to succeed.”

“Some of the key things rangatahi want for themselves, their whānau, hapū, iwi and wider community are higher education, sporting and business opportunities and development pathways within our rohe,” Elyse said.

“These need to be suitable and applicable to our people, aligned with our mātauranga and recognised amongst the wider governance systems.”

The Tuia Rangatahi Leadership Programme runs from February to December 2026, with monthly mentoring and five national wānanga held in March, May, July, September, and November.