Meihana Watson
Meihana Watson is of Ngāti Hinemanu, Ngāi Te Upokoiri descent and lives in the small rural community of Omahu. He is the current chairperson of Omahu Marae and the Ngāti Hinemanu, Ngāi Te Upokoiri me ōna Piringa Hapū Authority Trust (Piringa Hapū). Meihana leads the charge in calling for Piringa Hapū to responded to the devastation left by Cyclone Gabrielle within the takiwā of the authority. The efforts of the UTAINA 10-year Recovery Plan has been informed by the whānau, the community and validated by Price Waterhouse Coopers. Meihana is from the generation of Kōhanga Reo, Kura Kaupapa Māori, Wharekura and is a graduate of the Bachelor of Arts Māori from EIT. He is the former communications manager of He Toa Takitini, operations manager for Heretaunga Tamatea Settlement Trust and is currently employed as a senior advisor for Te Puni Kōkiri.