Representative for Wairewa

Charisma Rangipunga

Irakehu ki uta

Irakehu ki tai

Charisma’s whānau were part of the great migration of Māori and New Zealanders into Australia during the 1980s.   At the age of 11 Charisma (also known as Criz) moved back to Timaru where her mother was raised.  She was later schooled at Hato Hohepa in the Hawkes Bay before starting university in Canterbury and beginning work for Ngāi Tahu Development Corporation helping her build a deeper understanding and connection back to the iwi and her marae at Wairewa and Ōnuku.

Charisma has a strong background in language and cultural revitalisation and has been involved in executive roles within both the Office of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and Ngāi Tahu Holdings Corporation.  She is the founding director of NAIA, a Māori consultancy business based in Christchurch that provides strategic advice and support to iwi Māori organisations across the motu.  She is also the Deputy Chair of the Māori Language Commission.

Charisma and her tāne Lewis have three sons Te Aotahi, Tāiki and Aki Te Uruhau who they are raising in te reo and are passionate about ensuring the boys connection and contribution to their marae and whenua. Supporting the aspirations of Wairewa will see her don a tea-towel, grab a broom, support with teaching waiata, jump at the front for karanga or muck in for project management.  She was Alternate representative for three years and was elected as the TRoNT Representative for Wairewa in 2023.  Charisma is an author, a composer, a backseat kapa haka judge and lover of toi Māori.  She also has affiliations to Taranaki, Ngā Rauru and Ngāti Kahungunu.