Wiremu Mokomoko 

Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Ngāti Maniapoto, Te Whakatōhea 

Kaikōkiri, Te Whare Whakaakoranga 

We’re thrilled to welcome Wiremu Mokomoko to the team! He’s joined us as a kaikōkiri (administrator), supporting the amazing pūkenga and akonga in our employment-based initial teacher education programmes, as well as the Poutāhū Whakaakoranga Akorau programme – the Postgraduate Diploma in Blended Teaching and Learning. When Wiremu saw the role advertised, he jumped at the chance. And we’re so glad he did! 

Wiremu hails from Porirua, where he grew up with his three siblings. He has an older brother and two sisters. He’s the youngest of the bunch and attended Te Kura Māori o Porirua. His wife, Grace, is from Ngāti Toa Rangatira and Te Whānau-a-Apanui, and also grew up in Porirua. Together, they’re raising three beautiful tamariki: 7-year-old Waiata, their son Haemata, and baby Te Aumarire, who’s just five months old. 

Music is a big part of their whānau life. Grace’s whānau are singers, and Wiremu’s whānau are kapa haka enthusiasts. Wiremu himself is a talented kaiako and kaiāwhina for kapa haka at Porirua College and Tawa College, where he tutors and strums the guitar. Over summer, the whānau heads to Ōpōtiki every weekend to practice with Ōpōtiki mai Tawhiti, gearing up for the regional kapa haka comps and the legendary Te Matatini! 

Wiremu is passionate about te reo Māori and is currently studying Te Rōnakitanga ki te Reo Kairangi with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, while also diving into iwi and hapū papers with Te Wānanga o Raukawa. His reo journey began back at Te Kura Māori o Porirua, where he completed the Heke Mātauranga Māori in 2007. He also holds a Diploma in Te Tohu Paetahi from Waikato University. 

He’s committed to growing his reo and helping others reconnect with theirs. He even attended the Kura Reo held on campus in July. This was during his second week in the kaikōkiri role! 

Before joining us, Wiremu worked in mental health at Kenepuru Hospital’s forensic unit. This was a high-risk environment where he gained deep insights into mental health awareness. Prior to that, he was part of Wellington City Council’s CCTV team, monitoring 201 sites around the clock. 

For the past two years, Wiremu has been on a mission: to uplift te ao Māori and support Māori who feel disconnected from their culture. He’s a proud advocate for Te Wānanga o Raukawa and wants to help others find their way back to their reo. 

Looking ahead, Wiremu is keen to stay in the admin space and one day step into a kaiwhakahaere role. He’s tech-savvy, relationship-focused, and always ready to bring positive energy, especially when kapa haka is involved!