Mayor, Far North District Council

For Moko Tepania, local government is a place where mokopuna decisions are made. Motivated by a desire to influence change from within rather than moaning about it from the outside, Moko embraced a role in local government to make a real impact. Before becoming mayor, he served as a councillor and was appointed to the Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board.

With a decade of teaching under his belt, he's well aware of how education and governance work hand in hand. To Moko, local government is more than just decision making—it's a platform for the genuine voices of the community to be heard. He's a firm believer that active participation and community engagement are the secret sauce for a brighter tomorrow.