Rima Ririnui: Ngāti Tuera, Ngāti Hineraro, Ngai Te Rangi, Mōrehu
Te Kaikaute: Station Administrator
Rima is Awa FM’s admin maestro. She joined Awa FM in 2010 and brings a background in local and national government administration.
Based in Rātana Pā, Rima’s whakapapa to Te Awa Tupua includes iwi and hapū from the mountains to the sea. On her Ririnui side, she has close ties to her Tauranga whānau.
Although her son is now an adult, Rima fondly remembers volunteering to fundraise for the local kōhanga reo. She traces her love of Whanganui reo music to growing up with parents who were native te reo Māori speakers.
Moana Ellis: Uenuku, Tamahaki, Tamakana, Tūwharetoa, Kahungunu
A journalist with Local Democracy Reporting, working under the umbrella of iwi radio station Awa FM – Te Reo Irirangi o Whanganui.
What I do: Based in Whanganui, I cover iwi current affairs and local government news across the rohe of Te Ranga Tupua, which includes Whanganui, Rangitīkei, Ruapehu and South Taranaki. An essential focus is to ensure local voices and iwi Māori perspectives are heard, finding stories that may not otherwise reach wider audiences.
My background: I began my career straight from school as a cadet journalist at the Greymouth Evening Star in the era of stone subbing, toll calls, typewriters and smoke-filled newsrooms. I have since worked as a writer and editor for newspapers in Aotearoa and the UK, a travel writer based in Wales, and in communications and treaty settlement.
Since 2021, I have been Awa FM’s first full-time journalist and Local Democracy Reporter.
Contact: If you have an idea for a story, I’d love to hear from you – moana@awafm.co.nz
Tuakana Te Tana: Te Ātihaunui-ā-Pāpārangi, Ngāi Tahu, Moriori
Kaiwhakahaere Pāpāho Pāpori: Social Media Manager
What I do: Based in Whanganui, I manage Awa FM’s digital platforms and content, ensuring our kaupapa, reo and stories are visible and engaging across the rohe and beyond. My role is about connecting with our communities online, amplifying iwi perspectives, and making sure our voice is strong in the digital space.
My background: I bring experience from working in both public and private sectors across Aotearoa and Australia, alongside a deep connection to Awa FM through my whakapapa. My koro, Posie (Winston Pou Te Tana), was one of Awa FM’s original announcers, and I am proud to continue his legacy while helping guide the station into its next chapter.
Contact: If you’ve got something to promote on social media, hit me up tuakana@awafm.co.nz
Te Atawhai Mason: Ngāti Apa, Te Ātihaunui-a- Pāpārangi, Te Iwi Mōrehu, Tūwharetoa
Kaituhi Pāpāho Pāpori: Social Media Creator
Te Atawhai Mason joined Awa FM in August, stepping into the broadcasting world for the first time. Taking on a completely new challenge, he embraced the opportunity with determination and a drive to be a role model for rangatahi – showing that with focus and self-belief, anything is possible.
Since joining the team, Te Atawhai has gained a strong understanding of how the broadcasting space operates, both on air and behind the scenes. He continues to grow in his role, eager to learn more and contribute to the kaupapa of Awa FM.
Philly Te Oranga Tarawa: Ngāti Porou
Hōtaka: Te Manawa Piharau (Breakfast) & Te Awakura (Drive)
Philly Tarawa is the voice behind Te Manawa Piharau from 7am till 10am and also Te Awakura from 3pm to 6pm, blending reo, rhythm and real talk.
As Programme Director, his mission is simple — keep the people connected, uplifted and heard.
From the proud moment of winning Station of the Year with Tūranga FM in 2016, to building Native Empire and River Road Media, Philly’s journey is rooted in kaupapa Māori — driven by a love for storytelling, sound and shining light on the stories that matter most.
Chaeli Hollis: Ngāti Porou, Ngā Paerangi, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa, Te Iwi Mōrehu
Hōtaka: That’s a Wrap (Night Show)
Chaeli began her journey in media and broadcasting as a livestream presenter for the National Secondary Schools Kapa Haka competition in Palmerston North.
In 2019, she appeared on rangatahi-focused shows on Whakaata Māori, including Hahana and Smooth TV. By 2021, Chaeli had co-founded a small media company, Muck Around Media (now Aka Creative Limited). The company specialises in videography, photography, on-camera talent and social media marketing.
She has continued to excel as on-camera talent. She has built a strong online presence across multiple social media platforms, with a following of over 50,000. This visibility led to collaborations with TVNZ and TikTok during Matariki celebrations, highlighting her versatility and ability to connect with diverse audiences.
Today, Chaeli remains the co-director of Aka Creative. She delivers high-quality photography and videography services to her communities while continuing to inspire and engage through her work in media and broadcasting.
Rauru Broughton: Whanganui, Taranaki
Hōtaka: Te Awa Kōrihi (Mid-Morning Show)
Rauru began his journey in Māori radio in 1991, joining Awa FM as part of its first announcing team. He spent over 18 months as the breakfast announcer. In 1992, he moved to Te Korimako o Taranaki, continuing as breakfast announcer and taking on the role of translator.
After his time at Te Korimako o Taranaki, Rauru pursued a teaching career. He shared his knowledge of te reo Māori and tikanga Māori at kōhanga reo and kura kaupapa Māori.
In 1996, he returned to Māori radio as the midday announcer for Te Ūpoko o te Ika in Wellington. Over the years, he contributed to various media projects, creating audio and visual resources for Learning Media and Whakaata Māori.
From 1999 to 2012, Rauru taught te reo Māori through Ko Te Reo Te Mauri with Aotea Associates in Whanganui. He later served as a senior lecturer in Mātauranga Māori at Te Wānanga o Raukawa from 2013 to 2016.
Rauru is currently back at Awa FM, hosting the Awa Kōrihi show. The programme is delivered entirely in te reo Māori, focusing on the unique mita and reo of Whanganui. He also hosts Pupuke te Wānanga, a Taranaki kawa and tikanga-based programme for Te Korimako o Taranaki.
In addition, Rauru is the te reo advisor for Te Reo o te Uru news. In this role, he helps preserve and promote te reo Māori across multiple platforms.
Shea Rogan: Te Kāhui Maunga
Hōtaka: Te Awa Haumako (Lunchtime Show)
Shea has been part of the Awa FM whānau since 2019, working with us intermittently and bringing her depth of experience in iwi and hapū communications. She is our go-to expert when it comes to building and strengthening those relationships, ensuring the voices of our people are at the centre.
You can also catch Shea on-air as the weekday host from 12pm – 3pm, where she brings her warmth, wit, and whakaaro to the mic.
Beyond her mahi at Awa FM, Shea serves as the kaikaranga ki te whāriki a Te Kōhanga Reo, supporting kaupapa through the Kōhanga Reo National Trust. She is also pursuing her Master’s degree in Applied Indigenous Knowledge with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, continuing her journey of learning and service to te ao Māori.
Most recently, Shea was elected to the board of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Tūpoho, where she contributes to the growth and direction of kaupapa Māori education in Whanganui.
Shea’s mahi reflects her commitment to whānau, hapū, iwi, and the wider community—grounded in aroha, tikanga, and a vision for the future.