Matua Pōhau Ellison

Matua Pōhau Ellison is the Kaumātua of the Wise Group, a position left vacant by the passing of the late Tepene Karaka.

Pōhau is of Taranaki, Kāi Tahu, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Arawa, Ngāti Raukawa and Tainui descent, and hails from Whāingaroa/Raglan.

His role as a cultural advisor and kaumātua for a number of organisations is one he has carried for many years within his Whāingaroa community, since being shoulder tapped by his elders at a relatively young age.

With his father and a grandfather being Māori GPs, Pōhau has held a lifelong interest in health and wellbeing in all forms – holistically and spiritually. His background combines both health and education, and he is a graduate of the Māori Studies Department at the University of Waikato.

A former trustee for the Te Toiora PHO, Pōhau continues to hold trustee positions for various groups and land blocks throughout the country.

Matua Pōhau is currently a trustee for the Wise Group.