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We’re so pleased to welcome Mereraina Hemara as our new Operations Manager and Sue-Ellen Vaatuitui as our new Finance Technical Lead. We look forward to having them around and getting to know them, but here’s a starter for ten…
Kia ora! My name is Mereraina, I grew up in Te Whakarewarewa village, and I whakapapa to Te Arawa me Tainui. I moved to the Chatham Islands in 2017, making 2026 my 9th year I have been fortunate enough to call this island my home. I first started working for the Chatham Islands Council in 2021, leaving in 2024 to expand my understanding of Island development and infrastructure with the Chatham Islands Enterprise Trust. I learnt invaluable knowledge with the Trust and am excited to be part of this new Council, strengthening the working relationship between our entities for the prosperity of our community.
I am excited to be working with the dedicated team members at Council, with whom I have known and worked alongside for many years. I am passionate about our community and it’s wellbeing; I enjoy a challenge and hope to be a part of the wave of change that’s in the air.
In my spare time I work on Kaingaroa Energy Supply Inc renewable energy research and admin. Living in Kaingaroa can feel like a whole world away, but we are a happy self-sufficient little village. I am also a part of the Te One Early Childhood Education Trust, working on establishing an ECE Centre on island. Exciting projects that feel like I’m contributing to our future. If I’m not doing those, I’m working on my wee oasis (aka house plant jungle).
Riana Te Ngahue inspires me. She’s an icon.
Mereraina Hemara - Operations Manager
A bit about me - I'm a 7th generation Chatham Islander, born and raised on the Chatham Islands. My husband Thomas and I, with our two eldest children Jordis and Trey (Jayde was later born in Christchurch), moved off the Island around 13 years ago, however it has always been home.
More recently, I’ve been based in Christchurch working as a Business Manager, overseeing financial operations, reporting and general business management across a range of projects. It’s been a full-on role, but one I’ve really enjoyed. Over our time away, I’ve grown a lot - priorities have shifted, I’ve developed both personally and professionally, the kids have grown up and our family has expanded.
One thing anyone from the Island will tell you is that it always calls you home, so this feels like a really special full-circle moment for me. My whānau is everything to me - I’m looking forward to settling back into Island life with them. It’s a big shift, but a really positive one.
I’m especially excited about being part of a small community again and contributing in a meaningful way. There’s something quite special about working in a place where you can see the direct impact of what you do, and I’m looking forward to being part of that.
In my spare time, I enjoy gardening, doing puzzles and listening to audiobooks. They’re all simple, but I find they’re the best way to clear my mind and slow things down a bit - something I think we all need more of.
My favourite time of year would have to be Christmas, hands down. It’s one of the few times where everyone really pauses, comes together and focuses on what matters most - even if it comes with a bit of chaos and a lot of food! I love creating traditions, decorating and making it special for the kids. Having children at Christmas time makes it that much more magical, and this year will be even more special again with a new grandson joining us.
If I could solve one problem, it would be the lack of kindness. It sounds simple, but I think a bit more patience, understanding and willingness to see things from someone else’s perspective would make a huge difference in day-to-day life for a lot of people. The ripple effect of that - in families, workplaces and communities, in the world - would be pretty powerful.
The power of a smile!
Sue-Ellen with youngest daughter Jayde - Finance Technical Lead
