Poia Rewi with his mokopuna Poia Paku on his shoulders. Photo: Supplied
Poia Rewi is stepping down as the tumu whakarae (chief executive) of Te Mātāwai, the group dedicated to te reo Māori revitalisation by iwi and whānau Māori.
Rewi will leave his role at Te Mātāwai in March, after four and a half years at the helm.
Te Mātāwai is an independent entity, working in partnership with the Crown to lead Māori language revitalisation for iwi Māori, established by Te Ture mō te Reo Māori (Māori Language Act 2016).
During this time, Rewi (Ngāti Manawa, Tūhoe, Te Arawa, Ngāti Whare, Tūwharetoa) has grown the capability and capacity of Te Mātāwai. Starting with just four full-time staff in 2020, he has overseen an expansion to 38 full-time staff today.
Rewi is known for his work supporting the growth of te reo Māori and as an expert of whaikōrero or Māori oratory, having written the book on it in 2010.
Te Mātāwai co-chair Reikura Kahi said it had been an honour to have someone of Rewi's calibre and passion for increasing te reo Māori use.
"We are grateful to Poia for all he's achieved as tumu whakarae. As a skilled expert in te reo Māori, tikanga, whaikōrero and research we've benefited from his immense pūkenga and the direction he's taken us.
"Most of all though, we'll miss Poia's authenticity, his manaakitanga towards all people, and his unwavering commitment to te reo Māori revitalisation all day, every day."
Rewi said although he was sad to leave Te Mātāwai, he was looking forward to spending more time with his whānau.
He said he will continue living by Te Mātāwai's vision 'Kia Ūkaipō Anō te Reo - restoring te reo Māori as a nurturing first language within homes and communities'.
"I have achieved all the objectives set out for me upon my appointment, and more. Now, I want to spend quality time with my whānau. I also want to support the kāinga, hapori and iwi I moved away from, where there's still a huge desire for reo and tikanga."
The search for Te Mātāwai's new chief executive will begin in the new year.
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