Yesterday marked a special occasion as Inspector Rob Rutene, District M¨¡ori Responsiveness Manager (MRM) was welcomed into the role and back home by his iwi.
Rangit¨¡ne o Wairarapa and Ng¨¡ti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa together hosted the p¨whiri at Te Rangimarie Marae, Masterton on 10 June, 2021.
¡°I am humbled and honoured to have had a p¨whiri hosted by my iwi," says Rob. "Coming back to Wellington has been a 13-year journey.
¡°Thank you to my wh¨¡nau - my mum and dad, my son and daughter - who have been there through it all. It was time for me to come back and it was the right place to be welcomed home.¡±
Rob was born and raised in the Wairarapa and his whakapapa is connected to both Rangit¨¡ne and Kahungunu. Stepping into the MRM position has been for him.
Rob with former Wellington MRMsInspectors
Tracey Thompson and Dion Bennett.
Over his 24-year career with Police, Rob has also worked in Hawke's Bay and Tairawhiti and at the Royal new Zealand Police College. Along the way, he¡¯s been guided by some great leaders who have shaped and positively influenced his passion to achieve better outcomes for M¨¡ori.
Working in partnership for supported resolutions, finding pathways for gangs, solutions for those affected by meth, and giving rangatahi a clear direction are some of the things he wants to focus on.
Addressing the hauk¨¡inga and manuhiri present, Rob recounted how when he first started as a Pouwhakataki (Iwi Liaison Officer) in Wairarapa, the local kaum¨¡tua laid down a firm expectation which continues to guide him today.
¡®We just want to see you Rob, whether that¡¯s at tangihanga, p¨whiri or hui ¨C we just want to see you.¡¯ He kanohi kitea ¨C a face that is seen."
¡°Iwi across the district including Te ?ti Awa and Ng¨¡ti Toa Rangatira, and the diverse Pacific and ethnic communities I have guardianship over, will see me in the community, at hui, at events¨C I will be there. I want to work with the community and iwi to ensure we¡¯re working in partnership.¡±
The p¨whiri was also an opportunity for local Wairarapa iwi leaders and community members to meet face-to-face with the police leaders of the wider Wellington District and M¨¡ori, Pacific and Ethnic Services (MPES) team.
¡°It was a good occasion for district leaders to meet with the Wairarapa Area staff and community,¡± says Rob.