2 May 2025

From a young age, Patutoro Maruera, the eldest of eight was immersed in valley, whānau, marae, hapū and iwi life. Growing up in Ruātoki and Taneatua, being raised by her grandparents Mary and Bill Williams just two paddocks away from their marae Tauarau and grounded by whānau, these were huge influences in her life. With a life split between Ruātoki and Taranaki, she has strong connections to both. Today, she proudly serves as a Pou Tuarā on Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui, representing Ngāti Ringi hapū Pariroa Pā. 

Patutoro is a graduate of Te Wānanga o Raukawa, holding not one but two degrees: a Poutuarongo Te Rangakura Kaiwhakaako (Bachelor of Teaching - Bilingual) and Poutuarongo Toiora Whānau (Bachelor of Social Work). She’s one of the biggest champions of TWoR – calling it a beautiful, safe space for whānau and second-chance learners alike. 

And she’s not stopping there. Patutoro is a registered social worker, a DAPAANZ clinician, holds a Diploma in Mental Health and Addictions Counselling, a Postgraduate Diploma in Bicultural Professional Supervision, and a Diploma in Performance Technology. Talk about impressive! 

Her experience? Deep and wide – particularly in mental health and addictions and always anchored in manaakitanga and kaupapa Māori. 

Patutoro’s mum decided to pursue a teaching degree – and wanted a study buddy. With her aunties joining in too, Patutoro was gently (and lovingly) roped into enrolling in the Poutuarongo Te Rangakura Kaiwhakaako programme. That first noho? It lit a spark. Hearing the story behind Te Rangakura hit her in the heart – and she knew she was in the right place. 

Back in Taranaki, Patutoro served as a Whānau Ora Navigator for Ngāti Ruanui – helping whānau navigate services and get the support they needed. When she completed her teaching degree, she made the move back to the Bay of Plenty to be near her nan and koro in Ruātoki. There, she landed a job with Te Whakatōhea – but there was a catch: she’d need a social work degree. So, she headed back to TWoR for round two, enrolling in Poutuarongo Toiora Whānau. 

Since then, she’s flourished in the whānau ora, social services, and mental health space – and now, she encourages other kaimahi (especially those already doing the mahi) to get qualified through TWoR too. 

Right now, Patutoro is covering maternity leave as a pūkenga (tutor) for the Poutuarongo Toiora Whānau programme. She’s also supporting He Ringa Āhuru – a free wellbeing service for students at TWoR – until the programme ends on 1 July. If students need a hand with stress, sleep, or mild mental health or addictions support, Patutoro’s the one to see. 

Of course, juggling it all means self-care doesn’t always come easy. Her whānau and colleagues remind her often: "Don’t forget to look after yourself too!" And she’s working on it. 

Currently, she’s also studying towards her master’s degree – a major priority for her. So is championing kaimahi to finish their own studies, build solid foundations, and achieve greater financial wellbeing for their whānau. 

Patutoro is humbled by the support she’s received and the many doors that have opened along the way. She’s passionate, driven, and deeply connected to her purpose – helping others rise, thrive, and find their place too. 

Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou, ka ora ai te iwi 

If you would like to contact Patutoro for help to access He Ringa Āhuru, email her at:    heringaahuru@twor-otaki.ac.nz 

If you would like to know more about, He Ringa Āhuru, go to:   Te Wānanga o Raukawa

If you would like to know about the programmes offered by Te Wānanga o Raukawa, go to: Our Courses