Kaihautū Manaaki Whenua at Te Wānanga o Raukawa

Rawiri Richmond is the Kaihautū Manaaki Whenua at Te Wānanga o Raukawa in Ōtaki — a pioneering wānanga dedicated to revitalising Māori language, culture, and traditions.

Rawiri's work combines traditional Māori wisdom with modern environmental practices to promote sustainable land management. Recently, Rawiri led a team through the first phase of campus redevelopment, guided by the Living Building Challenge—a leading sustainability certification. This project, completed over 18 months impressively diverted 99% of construction waste from landfill. Rawiri’s leadership embodies a deep respect for tikanga Māori and a commitment to strengthening the bond between people and the environment.