Geoffrey Hipango

2024 Cohort

Pronouns: he/him

Through proactive leadership and community coordination, Geoffrey is contributing to community social cohesion. He is utilising Māori knowledge systems to inform and educate.

Geoffrey is dedicated to supporting community development at his community’s marae in Whanganui. He is responsible for overseeing various community and tribal activities at the marae, which help to strengthen the community and promote social unity.

Geoffrey has seen how marae practices can transform and heal by providing a safe space to discuss issues. The marae also connects the non-Māori community, reducing social isolation and giving a place for the most vulnerable members of society to participate.

According to Geoffrey, Indigenous knowledge, or tuupuna (ancestral) wisdom, is a contested space where valid transformative practises in health, education and environmental change often go unrecognised. He is working to understand how this knowledge can be meaningfully shared with others for the benefit of the lands and communities.

“I want to harness and share marae led and informed community outreach that is transformative to the wellness of family and community”

Social change work

Geoffrey is working on marae led community development, establishing a staged model of eco housing for the community that is affordable and accessible. Located on ancestral lands, this will involve a tiny homes village (including off grid options) with access to gardens and food forests. This to be achieved through coordination of multiple stakeholders in the community.