Raised in Pukekohe and the southern reaches of Kaipara with ancestral roots in Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Rango, Ngāti Whātua, Richard’s father is from the southern reaches of the Kaipara and up through the Mangakahia valley in Northland. His mother, Kathleen (Te Hira - Topia - Ihaka) is from both sides of the Hokianga, Whirinaki, Panguru, Motuti, Pawarenga – Northland and wife, Pearl Uwhinga Hill, comes from south Kaipara and Awanui/Kaitaia. Richard was educated in Pukekohe, Manukau Polytech, and the University of Auckland, where he gained the knowledge that has helped him shape his extensive career in leadership and governance. Richard Nahi is a cultural advisor, Kaumatua, and governance leader with over 40 years of experience and dedication to the wellbeing and advancement of his iwi, community, and Aotearoa. As Principal Cultural Tikanga Advisor for Auckland Council, Richard brings over 15 years of expertise in governance, cultural protocol, and strategic advice. He has worked in various capacities within the Council Strategic Iwi/Māori Relationships, cultural advisor in Parks, Sport & amp; Recreation and now focusing on governance, where his deep understanding of cultural tikanga and community values is integral to guiding decision-making. Richard has been a Trustee of Te Kia Ora Marae and Te Runanga o Ngāti Whātua Trust Board for over 12 years. His work within the iwi has spanned across many areas, including leading the tribal youth development programme for 15 years. This programme involved outdoor activities such as tramping, river canoeing, and mountain climbing, as well as facilitating experiences like sending young people to Outward Bound Anakiwa for personal development. His leadership also extended to sports and cultural activities. Richard was one of the founding members of the Kaipara cultural Festival for 28 years, organizing the tribal team for the National Māori Touch Rugby Tournament, Māori Rugby League Tournament, the marae tribal marae Pā Wars in South Kaipara he led with others for 8 years. Richard held cultural advisory roles for Recreation Aotearoa (Wellington) 2018 - 2020 and Māori Police Advisory in Waitakere, Rodney, Waitemata from 2003 - 2006. A passionate advocate for Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Richard has facilitated Treaty of Waitangi discussions and workshops for over 25 years. He became a Treaty negotiator for the South Kaipara Treaty Claim following the passing of his father, Richard Whero Nahi, in 2008. He shadowed his Matua for over 20 years during those years ensuring the next generation of rangatahi and potential leaders for the future have a strong, informed voice in the ongoing development of Treaty settlements, partnership, engagement and understanding is always worked on to improve and maintain good relationships. Richard has been involved in numerous community organizations, including serving as Kaumatua for South Kaipara, Epsom Girls Grammar, Helensville Waste Recycle Centre, Te Hōnonga a Iwi, Upper Waitemāta Ecology Network and North Harbour Hockey. His knowledge and leadership extends to international platforms, where he has represented indigenous communities at World Indigenous Conferences in Vancouver Canada, Indiana and Minnesota USA, Tokyo, Japan, and Tahiti as a guest speaker on board the ship named Peace Boat from Japan focusing on education, health, youth development, and cultural exchange. One of the early groups Richard was a proud member of was with the Pukekohe Youth Committee. This was where he grew a passion for the outdoors and travelled around the country taking young people for trips into the environment. Richard was the chairperson for the Pukekohe Māori Committee in 1991 before he decided to return to south Kaipara with his whānau to assist with the south Kaipara treaty land claim. An educator at heart, Richard is dedicated to preserving and sharing Māori cultural knowledge. Whether it’s through teaching hangi-making to whānau or leading discussions on cultural identity and rights, he is passionate about empowering others to understand and embrace their heritage. Richard is also an active advocate for tribal rights, having been involved in community and tribal protest movements for the last four decades.