Whaitiri Pepeha

Ko Manawaru Te Maunga 

Ko Te Arai Te Awa

Ko Ngati Kaipoho Te Hapu

Ko Manutuke me Te Hau Ki

Turanga Te Marae

Ko Rongowhakaata Te Iwi

 

Kaiwaru / Jones Pepeha

Ko Puketapu Te Maunga

Ko Te Arai Te Awa

Ko Whakato me Te Pahou Te Marae

Ko Ngati Maru Te Hapu 

Ko Rongowhakaata Te Iwi

 

Turangi Pepeha

Ko Papatu Te Maunga 

Ko Te Arai Te Awa

Ko Te Ohako me Te Kuri a Tuatai Te Marae.

Ko Ngai Tawhiri Te Hapu

Ko Rongowhakaata Te Iwi

Ko Ruapani Te Tangata

 

James Brian Whaitiri, the eldest of 15 siblings, is deeply rooted in his Rongowhakaata heritage. He has a large, close-knit family, including two daughters, two whangai daughters, 17 mokopuna, and 13 mokopuna tuarua, with more on the way.

 

James is intricately linked to the Rongowhakaata iwi, with connections to six marae: Manutuke, Te Ohako, Whakato, Te Pahou, Te Kuri a Tuatai, and Te Hau Ki Turanga. His many years of service include committee work and volunteering, particularly for Te Ohako Marae. His dedication was officially recognized in 2018 when he became a Trustee, a role he was unanimously voted into by the beneficiaries of Te Ohako Marae.

 

His Pepeha reflects his deep ties to the land and people of Rongowhakaata, honoring the mountains, rivers, and marae of his lineage. Known affectionately as Jimmy, his commitment to his heritage and community is a testament to the values and traditions of his ancestors, which he continues to uphold and pass on.