I have been a trustee on Te Whiti South Lands Trust since 2004 and have been the Chairperson since 2014.

I am currently the finance and commercial manager for Maungaharuru Tangitū Trust based  in Napier. My other roles include Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa ki Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua investment trustee and I am also the Chair of the audit finance and risk committee.

My son and I also own 3 barbers shops 2 of which are based in Auckland and one in Wellington.

 I have been a Trustee for the TWSLT since 2014, initially as Treasurer/Secretary and since 2019 as the Treasurer.

I have been on the Papakāinga Committee since inception, working closely with the Project Manager, Contractors and Te Puni Kōkiri.

I am keen to see the Papakāinga project come to fruition providing our whānau with sustainable and affordable housing on our whenua.

Pania Smith (nee Reiri) has been a member of TWSLT since 2019.  She joined with the vision to connect whānau, whenua and whakapapa using her knowledge of online platforms. Pania is supporting the ongoing development and management of the TWSLT website and other various projects pertaining to the papakāinga. Pania works as an online freelancer currently as an advisor for te reo Māori and the Initial Teacher Education for Te Pūkenga, an editor for UK based Twinkl. and translator for AI software.

I am a forward thinking, Māori professional with in depth knowledge of te reo Māori me ōna tikanga, whakapapa and whanaungatanga. My career has culminated in relationship leadership, systems management and deep involvement with whānau, hapū, marae and iwi. My passion includes Te Taiao and Kaitiakitanga to inspire future generations.