Otaki TodayHeniti Buick (Ngāti Raukawa) was raised in Ōtaki and educated through the full spectrum of local Māori and mainstream institutions — Te Kōhanga Reo o Raukawa, Ōtaki School (Te Korowai Whakamana), Ōtaki College, and the University of Otago.
“I’ve spent almost my whole life in Ōtaki. This town raised me, and I’m proud to call it home,” she says.
Heniti is well known in the community for her work in kaupapa Māori health, whānau wellbeing, education, and local development. As chief executive of Te Puna Oranga o Ōtaki, she’s led multiple initiatives spanning health, housing support, youth mentoring, and food security. While a registered dietitian by training, her focus has broadened over the years to champion holistic wellbeing at the community level.
She is also a mother of four, a netball player for Rāhui, and a former NZ touch rugby representative, playing alongside her husband, Hamish.
Heniti’s decision to run in the general seat – rather than the Māori ward – is intentional.
“The Māori ward may be short-lived, but the general ward provides stability, longevity, and succession planning,” she says. “Being Māori isn’t about the seat – it’s about who I am, and I carry that responsibility wherever I go.”
Her vision for the ward includes a strong focus on practical and sustainable outcomes across infrastructure, housing, climate and emergency readiness, youth development, and public transport.
“I understand the grassroots realities our people face. I’ve listened, understood, and advocated locally for years – now I want to scale that into council spaces,” she says.
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