Rawhia Te Hau Grant, of Rongomaiwahine and Ngāti Tūwharetoa descent, has taken on the role of Kaihautu (CEO) at Anglican Care Waiapu. With a background rich in community service, leadership, and a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Rawhia brings a unique perspective to this important role, shaped by her Māori heritage and Christian faith.
Raised in Mahia and later living in Rotorua, Rawhia’s career reflects her dedication to Māori communities. At Te Kāhui Tika Tangata (Human Rights Commission), she served as Te Tiriti Change Manager, transforming all levels to uphold Māori principles and tino rangatiratanga, and later co-led as Deputy CEO.
Rawhia’s whānau
In her first weeks as Kaihautu, Rawhia went on a hīkoi throughout Waiapu exploring the whakapapa and connections of Anglican Care Waiapu’s services. Week one was spent meeting with the Senior Leadership Team for kōrero, while week two took her on a road trip around Waiapu services. She connected with staff and those receiving care, sharing kai with pākeke, playing games like Rummikub, and even joining tamariki for tea parties and turtle play. The last stop of her hīkoi was meeting Archbishop Don Tamihere in Gisborne.
The last stop of her hīkoi, breakfast with Archbishop Don
Areas of Service
Anglican Care Waiapu serves four key areas:
- Early Childhood Education (ECE): services across the Waiapu rohe, from Dannevirke and Hawke’s Bay to Gisborne, including Taupo and Rotorua.
- Family and Community Services: The organisation offers a wide range of services, tailored to the needs of local communities, providing essential support to families across the region.
- Older People’s Programmes: supporting the elderly by offering activities that promote cognitive and physical development, and creating a space for social connection through games, shared meals, and physical exercises like chair aerobics.
- Growing Through Grief Programme: delivers the Seasons for Growth programme, which provides facilitated peer support groups for children, young people, and adults who are experiencing change, grief and loss in their lives.
Visiting Waiapu services
As we wrap up the year, Rawhia is excited to be home and focused on growing Anglican Care Waiapu’s impact in a way that honours its strong foundations. Her planning centres on collaboration between Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa, Diocese and Anglican Care Waiapu, ensuring strategy reflects the needs of people, their communities, and Te Tiriti commitments. With a passion for creating a better future for her five tamariki and inspired by her own whānau, hapū, and iwi, Rawhia embraces the opportunity to connect with local communities and support their journey to flourish in today’s context.
A warm welcome to Rawhia Te Hau Grant as she leads Anglican Care Waiapu with vision, purpose, and dedication.