The Matuku Moana (Heron bird) was chosen as part of our logo as a symbol of leadership, loyalty and whanaungatanga. The MUMA leadership team strives to embody that spirit, each placed in their position to serve our South Auckland community. They build the connections and relationships with partners and government agencies that provide services for our whānau. They also advocate strongly for educational, social and economic empowerment for urban Māori.

Message from the Chair

Manukau Urban Māori Authority has a legacy and a commitment that has seen it keep a vigil over its community in South Auckland for the past 40 years. The intelligence we have gained by walking with our people has allowed us to earn its trust. It is important that our whānau and neighbourhoods are not forgotten and left behind with local and central government decisions that affect it.

In moving forward, we talk about the concept of Oranga Mokopuna, in that we must leave the world a much better place for our mokopuna than what we have inherited. Basically if their narrative is the same as we the pākeke have grown up with, then we haven’t done nearly enough to progress the world for them.

With a new world comes new concepts and a new language. Through working closely with our whānau we can begin to help them dream their dreams and to build their own pathways of wellbeing (hauora) and independence through their ability to realise their own tino rangatiratanga, as individuals, as whānau and as hapori.

We believe that given the opportunity to progress ourselves, the South Auckland community will build its own pathways to prosperity.

Ma te hapori, te hapori e arahi. Long may it be so.

Bernie O'Donnell

MUMA Chair