
WE ARE
AWA
AWA Management Limited is a Maori owned and operated business from Ngongotaha, Rotorua established by Jodie and Annabell Wharekura on 22 January 2003, originally as Wharekura Forestry Services Limited.
A change in scope away from principally forestry related services to other industries saw us change our company name to AWA Management Limited on the 1st April 2019.
AWA is an acronym for Ahunga Whakamua Anake which translates as, Only Advancing Forward. Having lived and played in Rotorua our entire lives surrounded by natural waterways flowing into Rotorua-nui-a-Kahumatamomoe, to us AWA embodies the life essence that sustains our moemoea.
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Our Vision
To perpetuate an evergreen future that builds capability, resilience and sustainable growth.
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Our Mission
Employ innovative approaches that promote a reputation of high quality services and effective long term relationships with our stakeholders.
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Our Core Values
-Kaitiakitanga
-Whanaungatanga
-Moemoea
-Pono
-Tika

We are proud to have a 100% Maori and Pacific workforce with 7FTE.
Our focus is to build capability of existing staff through deployment of our Workforce Development plan. Our goal is to have a qualified workforce across a range of environmental and management operations.
Improved capability will provide a good foundation on which to build a sustainable workforce as we move into new markets. This in turn will ensure our kaimahi have improved employment and income opportunities, higher levels of well being and are better connected to the labour market.
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86% Maori
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42% Pacifica
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28% Female
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57% aged 18-23
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86% achieved NCEA Level 3 or higher
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14% left school at year 10
OUR TEAM
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Jodie Wharekura
Ngāti Whare, Ngāti Raakaipaka, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Horohoro
MANAGING DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS MANAGER
Since January 2003
Jodie manages all forestry operations and leads the project management of housing repairs. He priorities his time to managing relationships with forest managers, funders, and construction industry subcontractors. He is also responsible for scheduling and resource allocation, pricing, managing budgets and our Workplace Health and Safety Management plan.
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Annabell Wharekura
Ngāti Pukaki, Ngāti Whaoa, Tura Ngāti Te Ngakau
MANAGING DIRECTOR, ACCOUNTANT
Since January 2003
Annabell provides backbone support, undertakes contract management and reporting, HR, accounting, finance and tax compliance.
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Richard Vili
Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Tokelau
FIELD CREW FOREMAN
Since March 2012
Richard is responsible for the day to day operational management of the field crew.
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Elijah Vili
Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Tokelau
FIELD CREW, HEALTH & SAFTEY, FLEET MANAGEMENT
Since July 2016
Elijah is our health and safety representative and manages our vehicles, plant and equipment.
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Manaia Wharekura
Ngāti Whare, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Horohoro, Ngāti Pukaki, Tura Ngāti Te Ngakau
CONTRACT COORDINATOR, ADMINISTATION ASSISTANT
Since April 2013
Manaia provides support across all our operations covering the office administration, contract coordination and our company communications strategy.
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Ngakohu Walker
Te Whanau A Apanui
FIELD CREW, COMMUNCATIONS LEAD, PROJECT COORDINATOR
Since November 2019
Ngakohu provides support across all our operations covering the field crew, project management and leads our company communications strategy.
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Semisi Paea
Tonga
FIELD CREW
Since August 2020
Semisi is currently subcontracted to a Radiata Pine planting crew.