Bachelor Social Sciences Resource & Environmental Planning (First Class) University of Waikato, Diploma of Teaching (Primary), Certificate Administration of Maori Authorities Ph 07 3070 760 ext 228 Fax 07 3070 762 Mob 0274 711 806 beverley@ngatiawa.iwi.nz
Bev is from Taneatua. She is second youngest in a family of 11 children to parents Bill and Joanna Hughes (nee Anderson) of Tauwharemanuka and Te Teko respectively.
Bev is passionate about natural resources and her Maori heritage. Like her kuia Maata Te Tawai (wife of Netana Whakaari a, daughter of Paora Kingi II) and Maata Te Taiawatea (wife of Te Haroto, daughter of Te Rangitukehu) she is keenly interested in Maori people and their decisions on use, occupation and protection of lands, waters, waahi tapu and other taonga.
Bev finished Trident High School in the late 1970’s to take a cadetship with the Department of Maori Affairs in Auckland. In 1981 she transferred home to Whakatane where she worked as Housing and Accounts officer. There she found her passion for Maori Land Administration flourished with support from greats like the late Sam Jaram, Joe Te Maipi, Tata Williams and others including Pat Honan, Helen Gillies, Henry Pryor and her husband, Ric Carr.
When the department devolved Bev retrained as a primary school teacher. Her first teaching appointment was at Apanui School followed by relief teaching at Matahi and Ohope when the twins and later Freddy came along.
After a stint with REAP in early childhood and adult teaching in the Taneatua, Ruatoki, Waimana and Matahi communities, Bev established a Maori Land Administration consultancy with long time family friend Cindy Butt. Afterwards she worked as Ngati Awa Research and Archives manager again rekindling her passion for resource management. While working for Ngati Awa Bev volunteered as secretary for Te Komiti Taiao o Ngati Awa and snuck in a bit of Maori Land admin for kaumatua as well. She later operated a consultancy that led her to retrain as a planner and find a place with Environment Bay of Plenty. Project management of the Ohiwa Harbour Strategy, preparation of Maori heritage criteria and guidelines in the Bay of Plenty regional policy statement and contributions to the kaitiakitanga chapter in the Regional Water and Land Plan were key works Bev feels privileged to have made while working for the regional council. Contributing to informed decision-making, within budget and while satisfying the many people who contribute to those decisions, is still the challenge Bev embraces.