TRUSTEE CANDIDATE PROFILE 2020
Rapata (Rapi) Henare Kupa
Kia ora my names Rapata Henare Kupa but everyone calls me Rapi my Mother's Name Is Tania Rehu Kupa and my father's name is David Kupa my grandmother is Laura Lawinia Kupa and my grandfather is Rapata Henare Kupa. My great grandfather is Rapi Hunia and Paitawhiti and that's how I am connected to Tatarakina through whakapapa. I am 27 years old born and raised in Hastings Akina. I am a nursery grower for Hill Nursery's and have been for the last 5 years I grow manuka trees for Convita tomatoes for Wattis and lettuce for Mac Donald's and also other vegetables for smaller grow operations. I also have heaps of experience with spraying Agri chemicals/ tractors/ quad bikes, and hands on physical work such as pruning picking fruit and vegetables/ leadership skills, common sense, know the difference between right and wrong in any situation. I also done 3 years of land scaping and building as a shovel hand, digger operator, truck driver/ and building houses for another business on our down time from land scaping. I also worked at Tommo's at the lodge for 5 years I done 1 year as chef/ 3-year as souse chef and 1 year as dish washer. I also worked at Pakaphai strawberry farm for 1 year all year around and 5 seasons picking and packing strawberries, boysenberries/ raspberries and black berries, tractor driving and shop serving I also done the same jobs at Havelock strawberry farm for 2 seasons. I also worked at a potatoes collop factory in Australia called Sols Snax PTY supplying Coles supermarket with Australia's best cooked potatoes scallops for 2 years/1 done 2 months labourer in the factory 10 months as a supervisor and 1 year as the Manager. I also know the basics of technology to date. I also have experience with Maori carving and other types of carvings as a hobby. My other Hobbies are Fishing Hunting Art Tramping being creative with metal works and wood works. I am fit and healthy with a great state of mind. My goal in life is to learn every thing and anything while having fun being able to supply my self with any thing with the tools I have at any time, for instants grow and catch my kai instead of working for money to buy or instead of getting a builder and plumber I could do it my self etc.... My intentions towards the land is to be a peace maker and to always look at whats Right and Wrong for the land in any decisions and ideas put on the table for the rightful final answers/ to also protect the land from any harm in any way thought with the tools we have at any time. And also to nourish the animals plants trees and insects as well as trying to maintain or destroy any pests and diseases of any kind.
Kia ora and thanks for your time.
Rapata Henare Kupa