Moeraki
David Higgins
David was born in Rotorua in 1951. His tribal affiliations from his father are Ngāti Manawa, Te Arawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Tainui and Tuhoe.
He grew up around the Pā and followed his grandfather and great-grandfather to become a commercial fisherman – a career he continued for over 20 years. David returned to tribal politics following 13 years as the Arowhenua board member on the Ngāi Tahu Māori Trust Board during which time he became a member of the Claim's team.
He was given the responsibility for gathering and presenting much of the fisheries evidence before the Waitangi Tribunal and was the alternate tribal fisheries negotiator.
David moved to Christchurch in 1990 to manage the fledgling Ngāi Tahu Fisheries Company as Executive Chairman. He remained as Executive Chairman for over 10 years by which time the company had developed into an extremely successful and well respected business.
Since leaving the fishing company, David has been the Canterbury Conservancy's Pou Kura Taiao for Te Papa Atawhai (Conservation Department) for the past six years. David and his partner Karen have four adult children between them and one extremely precious mokopuna.
David has been the Upoko Rūnaka of Moeraki since the death of his Pōua, David Leonard. He believes that his role as Upoko is as a servant for all of our whānau who whakapapa to Moeraki.
He is Chair of the Kaiapoi Pā Trustees and a trustee of his Marae, urupā and Kotahitanga church where the famous window depicting Tiramōrehu is housed Passing on to others the mātauraka that he has gathered from his elders over nearly 50 years is David's mission in life.