Nau mai, Haere mai
June 10 2021, at Te Rangimarie Marae, Rangitāne o Wairarapa and Kahungunu ki Wairarapa welcomed home their whanaunga Robert (Rob) Rutene as the new Wellington District Māori Responsiveness Manager.
It was great to see Rob’s whānau and friends gathered, as well as the Police representatives from Wellington, Hawkes Bay, and Turanga-nui-a-kiwa (Gisborne) at the Pōwhiri.
Rob comes with 24 years of Police experience. His previous position was Practice Leader for Māori Responsiveness at the Royal New Zealand Police College.
Rob grew up in Carterton and he shared his connection to the Wharenui Nukutaimemeha, which use to stand there before being moved to Masterton.
Rob acknowledged his leaders gone, Uncle Kuki, Uncle Jim Rimene, Uncle Pani Himona and Uncle Wally Te Kani. His leadership style encompasses a Te Ao Māori worldview. For example, enabling working partnerships kanohi ki te kanohi, supporting Te Pae Oranga, finding pathways for Rangatahi and maintaining Aotearoa as a special place keeping communities safe.
