Trustee Profiles
Get to know our Trustees
These Trustees were elected on the 26 August 2026
The Korongata Marae Trustees - Picture taken on 22 August 2026 at the Marae AGM/Triennial Election of Trustees 22 August 2026. Pictured from left to right: Mihi Te Aho, Alayna Watene, Kathleen O'Shaughnessy, Gyneva Ferris, Te Peeti Armitage, Templey Armitage, Soul Sadler, Shona Hopa, Duayne Davies, Charlene Otene.
CHARLENE OTENE
Represents Korongata 2B1
Charlene Otene, mother of two, grandmother to many moko. Charlene lives in Bridge Pa, Happy to help out where ever she is needed. Charlene Otene is an ACC registered rongoā māori practitioner. She works for Te Whatu Ora in Maori Health as a kaitakawaenga in that she visits the sick and offers support.
Charlene has had little Governance Training, but for the past few years shes returned home and wanted to become more involved in the marae. Charlene is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She loves baking and supporting Rangatahi initiatives.
DUYANE DAVIES
Represents Korongata 2B2
Ko Duayne Davies taku ingoa. I am a proud father of six and husband to Penita, of Āvao, Savai‘i. I have dedicated more than 35 years to Kyokushin Karate as a coach, mentor and leader, supporting many rangatahi to achieve at regional, national and world level. Together with my wife, I am actively involved in community service and am completing a Master’s degree in Applied Indigenous Knowledge, He Waka Hiringa. I look forward to bringing my leadership, experience and passion to Korongata Marae, working together to strengthen Ngāti Pōporotanga for our whānau and generations to come.
SOUL SADLER
Represents Korongata 2B3
I am a self-employed entrepreneur, and have lived in and served the Korongata community my whole life. I am passionate about giving back to my whānau. This is my first governance role, and I hope to bring a fresh perspective, a willingness to learn, and a strong commitment to serving the marae. My aspiration is to bring more whānau back to Korongata Marae, strengthen whānau connection and participation, and support the rebuilding of the wharenui. I am willing to contribute wherever is needed and I believe it is important that whānau are kept informed and have opportunities to share their views and be heard and considered in Trustee decision-making.
SHONA HOPA
Represents Korongata 2B4
I was raised in Korongata, returning home in 2018. I’m a proud māmā of seven tamariki and have always had a strong connection to our marae, hapū and community.
I bring with me over 30 years administration mahi, much of that experience gained serving and supporting Ngāti Kahungunu whānau. I’ve also been involved with our marae as a Trustee and committee member since the early–mid 2000s. I’m also passionate about whānau, marae & tapu hītori that keeps me busy in my spare time.
I’m really excited to be part of this mahi at such an important time for our marae. With the future development of Korongata ahead of us, there is a real opportunity to create an active hub for our whānau — somewhere our people can come together, reconnect, and build a strong future for the generations to come.
ALAYNA WATENE
Represents Korongata 1A
Born and raised in Korongata by my koro Te Kaurauna (Mack) Whakamoe and nan Meriana Maurea Morgan, I have strong lifelong connections to our whenua and community. I raised three children and am a proud grandmother to nine mokopuna. My career spans Māori development and the commercial sector, including 20 years as CEO of Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga. I have been recognised nationally and regionally for leadership, business excellence and employment creation. I bring this experience and commitment to serving our whānau and contributing to the future of Korongata Marae.
“Mā whero, mā pango, ka oti ai te mahi” – through cooperation, where everyone does their part, the work will be complete.
GYNEVA FERRIS
Represents Korongata 1B
Gyneva Ferris is a dedicated community advocate with strong connections to Bridge Pā, Korongata, Rongomaraeroa and Mangaroa Marae. Having recently transitioned from the labour force into community mahi, she is now a Youth Coach for Rangatahi Services, supporting rangatahi and their whānau with life skills, employment, education and training opportunities.
Growing up in Bridge Pā, Gyneva spent much of her childhood around the marae, learning through service in the kitchen, preparing kai and helping wherever needed. She is passionate about giving back to her whānau and hapori and wants to see Korongata Marae thriving with greater whānau involvement and strong participation from rangatahi.
As a Trustee, Gyneva brings strong communication skills, a willingness to learn and a genuine commitment to listening to whānau. Her aspiration is for Korongata Marae to remain a strong place of connection, learning and pride for tamariki, rangatahi and mokopuna for generations to come.
TE PEETI ARMITAGE
Represents Korongata 1C
I am connected to Korongatā Marae through my mother, Templey Armitage, and my grandparents, Te Peeti Rewiri Onekawa and Mihi Kiteiwi Whakaware Brown. I wanted to become a Trustee so I could contribute to our marae and support its future. I am a senior in-house lawyer and my experience includes governance, leadership and risk management, strategic decision-making, and organisational development. I have also supported previous Trustees with governance matters, contributed to the marae's work on Ngāti Pōporo whakapapa and history, and assisted with the development plans for the rebuild. My aspiration is for our marae to remain a place where whānau know who they are, where they come from, and that they have a place here.
KATHLEEN O'SHAUGHNESSY
Represents Korongata 2A
Kathleen O'Shaughnessy is one of the daughters of Sabrina and Lester White. She hails from the Parahi whānau through her mother Sabrina. Kathleen lives in Bridge Pa and has a passion for the community through whakapapa, history, connections and knowledge that was passed down from her grandparents to her mum and to her. She is a great advocate for wellbeing and health, and has a strong interest in rangatahi becoming our future leaders. She brings her own children along to learn how they can contribute to the marae. She is a very supportive mother of two sporty children and takes them everywhere they need to go. Kathleen likes to knuckle in when there is a task to achieve. She observes and contributes carefully to conversations and ensures fairness is valued.
TEMPLEY ARMITAGE
Represents Te Awa o Te Atua 7B2C
Ko Kahuranaki te maunga, ko Ngaruroro te awa, ko Takitimu te waka, ko Korongata te marae, ko Ngāti Poporo te hapū, ko Ngāti Kahungunu te iwi. Ko Templey Armitage tōku ingoa. I am the daughter of Te Peeti Rewiri Onekawa and Mihi Kite-iwi Whakaware Brown, born in Hastings and raised in Bridge Pā, where I have maintained a strong connection to the area. I am married to Peter Armitage, and we have five sons and two daughters. I have over 30 years’ experience working in the health sector across Hastings, Napier and Auckland. I am thankful to be elected as a Trustee and look forward to serving and working alongside our whānau for the future of Korongata Marae.
MIHI TE AHO
Represents Te Awa o Te Atua 7A
A registered Social Worker, I was born and raised in Korongata and have lived in our community for more than 65 years. My working life has included the Tomoana Freezing Works, managing the Road Freighters cafeteria, and Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga, where I gained my Social Work degree. My whānau have always been strong supporters of Korongata Marae, and I helped fundraise for the existing Matariki Kai Hall. I am passionate about preserving our tikanga, strengthening whānau relationships and rebuilding Nukanoa to its former glory. I hope to contribute my knowledge, experience and commitment to keeping Korongata strong for future generations.
