Whakapapa
Meet the boys behind Wai Mānuka
Hold fast to the words of your ancestors.
KIA MAU KOE KI NGĀ KUPU O ŌU TUPUNA
Every single day, we strive to live by the values that were passed onto us through our ancestors. Both in our personal lives and in business, we are committed to our values of Kaitiakitanga, Hauoratanga, Manaakitanga and Whanaungatanga.
Connection, culture and community is at the heart of everything we do.
These values are instilled in every bottle of Wai Mānuka we make. We want you too, to experience genuine connections with the people you love whilst holding a glass of Wai Manuka in your hand.
Meet the team - 3 MĀORI BOYS LTD
Joe Harawira
Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Te Rangi
Business Development
Joe has a career in business and sport. He’s worked at the national level in both rugby union and rugby league and founded a social enterprise to support youth wellbeing. Prior to this, Joe served in the New Zealand Army and he also holds an MBA and a degree in sport science. Joe recently moved home to Whakatāne to work on Wai Mānuka full time and be closer to whānau. He loves health and fitness, being in nature and listening to old school sounds and podcasts.
Wayne Atkins
Ngāti Porou
Marketing & Distribution
Wayne has always been driven to make the most of every day and to give back. He has a background in education having taught school children for the last 18 years. Prior to this he had a career in the hospitality industry and served in the Royal New Zealand Navy. Wayne and his family live in Whakatāne and he feels blessed he gets to raise his children in such a beautiful place. On weekends, Wayne enjoys spending time at the beach with his whānau and friends.
Lance Paora
Te Whanau-a-Apanui
Production & Sales
Lance is passionate about travel. He spent over a decade working on cruise ships all around the world. Lance has been a business owner and managed large-scale retail stores in international tax duty, luxury goods, retail and service industry as well as furniture and manufacturing. After a long time away from home he returned to Whakatāne and now lives there with his whānau. Lance enjoys keeping fit through his martial arts, bike riding and gym training.
