Reuben Gregory Nesbitt Coffey
Te Āti Awa, Taranaki, Nukutere
Kaimahi ki Haumanu Tū Ora
Poutuarongo Kaitiakitanga Pūtaiao (Degree in Environmental Management)
Reuben is the youngest of the three sons of Ronwyn and Jonathan Coffey. Joseph and Ryan (his twin) are his tuakana. His father is of Te Āti Awa, Irish, Mangaia, Enua Manu and Rarotongan descent. His mother is a New Zealand European.
Growing up, the boys did not know much about te ao Māori and grew up disconnected from their culture. Reuben’s parents supported them as best they could, but Reuben felt the disconnection affected him growing up. He wasn’t sure who he really was and felt being a twin was an identity issue.
Reuben left school at 16 and started work. He experimented with things he shouldn’t have. He started seeing the “love of his life” Jessy Lerm in 2008 and they welcomed their first child Terai Ma Teata in 2010, followed by Āwhina in 2012. In 2015 the whānau moved to Australia “chasing the dream” and while over there they welcomed Te Pou o Te Awa in 2018 and Iranui in 2020. It was at that time they decided to return home initially settling in Wellington, then moved to Gisborne to reconnect with Jessy’s iwi. The whānau are actively involved in Wānanga, both participating and supporting.
Reuben assessing the soil of a potential planting site
After 15 years working in construction, mining and civil engineering, Reuben realised he was contributing to the degradation of the environment. He also realised that he had been a kaitiaki of the taiao his whole life but never appreciated the fact. His partner studied with the Wānanga in 2021 (Heke Toiora Whānau) and after hearing about her positive experience he decided he too could do it and enrolled in Kaitiakitanga Pūtaiao.
Through his studies Reuben has gained the confidence to be a voice for the taiao. He has also gained an understanding of the historic and ongoing effects our land use and general treatment of the taiao has done and is continuing to do. He knows he has support in his fight for the taiao.
Reuben is applying concepts he has learnt through his study in his mahi and at home. His experience with Te Wānanga o Raukawa has helped him understand who he is and what is important to both him and his whānau. He says “I am able to stand in my rangatiratanga and be a voice for ngā iwi Māori, kei te mahi au ki te kaunihera o Tairāwhiti i tēnei wā. Māori monitoring methods is a concept I like to implement into the mahi I am involved in”.
Reuben and Terai Ma Teata helping Rongowhakaata pot some seedlings at the nursery
Working towards his Poutuarongo (Degree) has been the most rewarding thing about his study. His biggest challenge was his confident but with the massive amount of support, encouragement and advice he recieved, he has been able to achieve something he didn’t think he would. He feels his tutors had more faith in him than he did in himself. The manaakitanga “blew him away”.
Reuben recommends Kaitiakitanga Pūtaiao to everyone. He believes the taiao is not a stand-alone industry, it is part of all sectors and encompasses health, infrastructure, tourism, education and more.
What does the future hold for Reuben? Returning to Te Wānanga o Raukawa for further study, enrolling his big kids at the Wānanga as soon as they are old enough and continuing to learn, grow and make mistakes.
Click here if you would like to know more about Poutuarongo Kaitiakitanga Pūtaiao.