Matapura Ellison selected as upoko for Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki

There was a strong sense of pride and celebration at Puketeraki Marae last weekend, following the appointment of Matapura Ellison as upoko for Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki – a decision that recognises his longstanding service and deep connection to the hapū.

The appointment, led by kaumātua and affirmed by the wider rūnaka, reflects a collective confidence in Matapura’s leadership. As kaumātua Phyllis Smith says, his selection was “a no-brainer, because of the kind of person he is and the many years he has already spent supporting our whānau.”

For Phyllis and the kaumātua group, the decision was grounded in a clear understanding of the purpose of the upoko. The role is to uphold the tikanga and protocols of the marae, support spiritual wellbeing and maintain a community presence while remaining closely connected to whānau. Phyllis says Matapura embodies these expectations through both his knowledge and his lifelong connection to the rūnaka. “He’s always been a guiding light,” she says. “On a personal level, he made me feel so welcomed when I reconnected with my whakapapa 40 years ago, and I know of many other whānau who have turned to him for knowledge and guidance.”

His appointment also continues a strong line of leadership, following in the footsteps of his father, Rangi Ellison, and more recently his cousin David Ellison. For Matapura, that legacy brings both meaning and responsibility. “Dad provided a pouwhenua for us at a time when we were still rediscovering our tino rangatiratanga and our cultural identity, followed by David, who shaped the role in his own inimitable style and fashion,” he says. “I’m very honoured both to have had the opportunity to learn from them, and now to have the confidence of the hapū to step into the role.”  

Looking ahead, Matapura plans to work closely alongside kaumātua to understand the needs of the rūnaka, and says he intends to promote a collection model of leadership grounded in shared knowledge and experience. While the appointment is usually seen as a lifetime commitment – a fact that Matapura acknowledges is “a bit daunting” – he is taking it in his stride, reflecting a lifetime already spent in service to his people.

For Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki, the appointment of an upoko is both a recognition of mana motuhake and a reaffirmation of collective values: tikanga, whakapapa and connection to whānau. In Matapura, the rūnaka has chosen a leader well placed to guide and support the hapū into the future.