Daniel Wilson, Director of Kiwi Water NZ Ltd
Daniel Wilson is proud of his Tuhoe and Tainui heritage and passionate about the Urewera region of the North Island. His whanau (family) says this of their ancestory:
“There is a concept that is uniquely ours of Tuhoe, called ‘matemateaone’. It is up to the individual to interpret, but basically it encompasses all one could feel for one’s land, rivers, mountains and forests; we are one with all these things and we will fight to the death and beyond to protect them.
“We are the children of the mist; our ancestors, the mist maiden and Maunga, a mountain, came together in Ruatahuna and began Potiki, who began Nga Potiki, the first hapu, or sub tribes, who ultimately became you and me today.”
At the age of 17, Daniel went to Australia to pursue a boat building apprenticeship, and stayed for 13 years. During his time in such a hot dry climate, he learnt to appreciate the real value of a pure, affordable and uninterrupted water supply. He decided to return to his roots and harvest what New Zealanders take for granted and have in abundance, to benefit others who don’t have that luxury.
With water a constant theme in his life, Daniel lives by, and runs his business from, the shores of beautiful Lake Pupuke on Auckland’s North Shore.
Read more about Te Urewera National Park, the North Island brown kiwi and how you can help save them from extinction.