Lewis Winiata

Ko Aorangi te Maunga
Ko Rangitikei me Hautapu ngā Awa
Ko Takitimu te Waka
Ko Ngāti Hinemanu me Ngāti Paki ngā Hapū
Ko Tautahi te Wharetupuna
Ko Hinemanu te Wharekai
Ko Mangaone te Whenua
Ko Winiata te Marae
Ko Winiata te Whaaro te Tangata
Ko Te Ngahoa Winiata te Whaaro toku Koroua
Ko Waipai Te Ngahoa Winiata toku Whaea
Ko Lewis Winiata ahau

I was born at Taihape and raised at Winiata.

I completed all my primary schooling at Taihape Primary School and secondary schooling at Taihape College. After completing my School Certificate, I went away to Christchurch and did my Trade Training through the Māori Trade Training Scheme as a Fitter and Turner. I completed my final year while working at Imlay Freezing Works in Whanganui.

To gain further experience in the Trade I worked for a private firm in Hastings then ended up at Whakatu Freezing Works and Unilever. I then worked as a fitter and turner at the Takapau Freezing Works before moving back home to Winiata to take over the family farm.

While farming I also worked in the shearing sheds as a shearer. Eventually, I leased my farm out and kept my trade up through working at the Waiouru Army Camp before becoming an Engineering Contractor contracting my services out to large companies working on some of the major gas line operations in Taranaki. One of my responsibilities was to authorise Health and Safety Permits in the Workforce.

I am a Trustee on Winiata Marae and also on the Te Koau A Land Trust.

My community involvement has included Maccess, Access, Te Korimako, Te Oranganui and Ahi Kaa.

I still live at Winiata, Taihape with my wife and whānau.