He Tangata Rauhine Coakley

Dec 18, 2018

Ngāi Tahu – Ngāti Waewae

Rauhine Coakley resides at Arahura, immersing herself in the landscape of her tīpuna with her passion for tramping and fossicking for pounamu on the river. This passion has turned into a livelihood through her work as Tour Guide and Administrative Manager of Hīkoi Waewae –
a tourism venture she started in 2016 to help Māori reconnect with their ancestral lands and learn more about native flora and fauna. She is determined to revitalise traditional Māori place names, and encourages others to learn more about their history and correct pronunciation.

Rauhine dedicates significant time to local projects and activities as an executive member of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae. She is also serving her second term on the West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board, and was recently elected as chairperson.

Rauhine is also the proud mother and grandmother of five tamariki and four mokopuna.


What constitutes a good day?
Keeping to task and completing my daily to-do list. However, I usually put way too much on it!

One thing you could not live without?
Regular whānau get-togethers and a nice cold Monteith’s.

Who or what inspires you and why?
My mokopuna inspire me, by helping me to think ahead and make long-term decisions. I also love the way they think! Their world view is not yet clouded, and they reach solutions without putting boundaries on themselves.

Highlight in the last year and why?
The aroha, tautoko, and awhi of my whānau and hapū at Arahura. It has been a tragic year for my immediate whānau with the sad loss of my Mum, Dad, and Pōua. But the support of our people has been amazing!

What is your greatest extravagance?
Roaming the motu in our house truck with my tāne. We love to visit and explore new places.

Favourite way to chill out? Favourite place?
Pounamu hunting on the Arahura river.

Dance or wallflower?
Definitely dance!

What food could you not live without?
Kai Māori. I love tītī, tuna, kai moana, and boil up with watercress.

What meal do you cook the most?
At the present moment, īnaka.

Greatest achievement?
Raising my tamariki into good, well-rounded adults.

Do you have an aspiration for Ngāi Tahu to achieve by 2025?
I would like to see us have our own medical centres.