Judy Kumeroa

Nō te kāhui maunga, ko Ngāti Tamakana me Ngāti Tūwharetoa ōku iwi.

Based in Whanganui, my villages are Te Ora Hou Whanganui and Stone Soup community.  I have been in Te Ora Hou (kaupapa Karaitiana, kaupapa Māori, with a commitment to the development of rangatahi Māori) since 1992.  Stone Soup began in 2007 as a residents-led response to happenings in our neighbourhood, and it has continued to thrive and evolve as needed.

Married to my hero Greg Tichbon since 1995, we have three stunning kids who have grown up in these villages and been shaped beautifully by those influences.

In recent years I have led Te Ora Hou Whanganui in deepening our practice through my research for the Master of Professional Practice:  Coaching Leadership (2019) and Master of Māori and Indigenous Leadership (2023).  These learnings are shared with the annual Whanganui Community Led Development Conferences where I deliver leadership workshops.

I consider it a grand opportunity to serve in Inspiring Communities for a season, to support this kaupapa which has supported our Stone Soup over the past decade.