Who we are

The Ma’u Henua Indigenous Community is responsible for managing Rapa Nui National Park. It was born out of the legitimate desire of the Rapa Nui people to have full control of their ancestral territory. In this way, our Community was established in August 2016, becoming the largest indigenous organization in Chile.

In 2016, a joint administration of the Park began between CONAF (National Forestry Corporation) and the Ma’u Henua Indigenous Community, while capacities were being developed and knowledge was being transferred in conservation and protection matters. Additionally, the Community had to prepare in matters of administration, among other things. Simultaneously, the fulfillment of commitments, progress, and evaluations were reviewed, leading to the conclusion that on November 23, 2017, the President of the Republic, Mrs. Michelle Bachelet, traveled to Rapa Nui to sign the decree authorizing the transfer of the administration of Rapa Nui National Park.

In March 2018, through a concession contract signed between the representative of the Ministry of National Assets and the President of the Ma’u Henua Indigenous Community, the Chilean State handed over full administration of the Park – 43% of the territory – to the Rapa Nui people. They committed to execute, administer, preserve, conserve, and protect its biodiversity and natural, landscape, cultural, and heritage resources permanently.

The Ma’u Henua Indigenous Community is composed of a Board of Directors elected by the Rapa Nui people through voting, with the positions of president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and three advisors, as well as an Ethics Committee and an Oversight Committee. All of them ensure the maintenance, conservation, and guarantee of the protection and enhancement of the archaeological and scenic treasures of Rapa Nui culture, believing firmly that the island and its legacy can be protected and preserved as the world heritage it is.


The current board of directors is comprised of:

Mission:

To permanently preserve and protect the rich cultural heritage of the Rapa Nui community through transparent and sustainable administration and conservation of natural, archaeological, scenic, cultural, and heritage resources, fostering respect for the culture and traditions of the indigenous people and their environment, actively involving the community in safeguarding their heritage.

Vision:

To be an example of sustainable cultural and environmental preservation, where the community resides in harmony with its natural and heritage environment, keeping its heritage alive to pass it on to future generations.

Values:

  • Cultural Respect: We honor and preserve the traditions and cultural identity of Rapa Nui.
  • Sustainability: We guide our actions towards sustainability, promoting the prosperity of our community and environment.
  • Transparency: We manage our responsibilities openly and transparently, strengthening trust within the community.
  • Community Participation: We value and promote community participation, considering their opinions in decision-making for heritage management.
  • Environmental Preservation: We protect and conserve natural resources, ensuring a harmonious balance between the community and nature.

Biography of Ma’u Henua Board Member:

Gabriel Armando Tuki Tuki (President)

Born in Rapa Nui on July 27, 1960, Gabriel Armando Tuki Tuki received his education up to 8th grade at Lorenzo Baeza Vega High School before entering the workforce.

He began his career at the Vinapū terminal in the former RPC, where he pioneered in unloading operations, working as a barge operator. At the age of 20, he started working at the Telecommunications company “Entel,” where he served until 2003. Afterward, he became a contractor for the same company, specializing in the installation, maintenance, and technical support of communication lines.

Gabriel is married to Ana Margarita Pont Pate, with whom he has three daughters and four grandchildren. He is a musician, singer, dancer, and entrepreneur, always striving for the development and protection of the Rapa Nui people.

Today, he serves as the President of the Ma’u Henua Indigenous Community, an achievement that fills him with pride as a Rapa Nui, as he has helped to build and promote the Community’s administration and the safeguarding and protection of the material and immaterial treasures of this culture.

Salvador Atan Hito (Vice President)

Born on March 16, 1956, in Rapa Nui, Salvador Atan Hito is the son of Juan Perousse Atán Paoa and Diana Eliana Hito Hito. He graduated as a Computer Support Technician and Network Administration Technician, showcasing his technical skills in a constantly evolving world.

As a young man, he had the honor of working as a practical surveyor during the restoration of Ahu Nau Nau, contributing to the preservation of Rapa Nui’s iconic sites.

His public service was notable when he served as municipal secretary and acting mayor, actively participating in the recognition of the Rapa Nui flag as a communal flag and in the creation of Rapa Nui crews in Lan Chile, promoting the recognition and dissemination of the island’s culture. He achieved a significant milestone by ensuring that all the teachers in the commune had their contributions paid, making the Rapa Nui municipality the first in the country without pension debt to teachers.

Married and father of four children, he is known for his contribution to education and the reconstruction of the Tatauro Mo’a scout group, promoting the development of young people and children from Rapa Nui. He always seeks to open paths and offer opportunities to future generations.

Currently, Salvador works as a shipping and port agent, where he serves and represents foreign shipowners and captains of cruise ships arriving on the island. Additionally, he holds the position of Vice President of the Ma’u Henua Indigenous Community, administrator of Rapa Nui National Park, continuing his legacy of service and protection of the natural and cultural wealth of his beloved island.

Poky Tane Haoa Hey (Treasurer)

Poky Tane was born on February 17, 1983, at Hanga Roa Hospital. He is the son of Francisco Haoa Pakomio and María Otilia Hey Hotus. He began his education at Lorenzo Baeza Vega High School on his native island and later completed his secondary studies at Eduardo de la Barra School in Valparaíso.

Married for 11 years to Alejandra Astudillo, Poky is the father of three daughters. Throughout his life, he has played significant roles, including serving as a commissioner of CODEIPA (Commission for the Development of Easter Island), where he made significant contributions to the enactment of Law 21.070, regulating residency rights, permanence, and movement within the special territory of Easter Island.

Under his leadership, the Demographic Cargo Council was established, which he chaired for a year. During this time, he achieved the declaration of the “Protected Maritime and Coastal Area of Multiple Uses,” covering an area of 740,000 square kilometers of protected coastal area. Additionally, he actively participated in the Sea Council, further demonstrating his commitment to the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.

His life and career have been marked by an unwavering commitment to the community, gender equality, the preservation of Rapa Nui’s natural heritage, and the development of community projects focused on marine protection and sustainable fishing.

Poky Tane Haoa Hey is also a founding member of the Ma’u Henua Indigenous Community, where he currently serves on the board as treasurer.

Nancy Orieta Rivera Chávez (Secretary)

Born to a continental father and a Rapa Nui mother, Nancy was raised on Rapa Nui, where she attended the only school of the time, Lorenzo Baeza Vega High School.

Married and mother of 4 children, Nancy holds a degree in Fisheries Engineering from PUCV (Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso) and a Diploma in Public Policies and Integrated Territorial Management. With over 17 years of experience in the development of special policies for the Rapa Nui people, she is an expert in Indigenous Consultations and in coordinating Inter-ministerial Plans and Programs on priority issues for the Chilean government concerning the Rapa Nui people. She worked at the Ministry of the Interior, where she was involved in the drafting process of the Residency Law, regulating the movement of people to and from Easter Island, and in the development of a proposal for a Special Statute of Administration, projects for which she coordinated their respective indigenous consultations. Additionally, she was part of the working teams for the creation of the Multiple-Use Protected Coastal Marine Area and the process of transferring the Administration of Rapa Nui National Park to the Rapa Nui people.

In her current role as a director of the Ma’u Henua Indigenous Community, she continues to lead with dedication and vision, administering the park with a comprehensive approach that reflects her commitment to the preservation of Rapa Nui’s natural and cultural heritage. Her life and work are an inspiring testimony to the ability of an individual to make a significant impact on her community and the protection of the environment.

Jean Patricia Pakarati Pate (Director)

Born to Elena del Carmen Pate Hotus, Jean was born on December 17, 1984, in Rapa Nui, being the third of four sisters. She was raised by her koro (grandfather) Juan Hotus Icka, from whom she learned the deepest aspects of Rapa Nui culture, marking the beginning of her innate connection with her people’s traditions.

Educated at Lorenzo Baeza Vega High School, the only educational institution at that time, Jean forged her path with learning and inspiration from her cultural surroundings. 21 years ago, she married Oscar Araneda, sharing her life with three children. Her hobbies include spending time with her family, immersing herself in books with Rapa Nui stories, analyzing them with her knowledge, and then teaching them to the children.

As a tourism entrepreneur, Jean and her family manage their own accommodation, offering services that blend hospitality with the cultural richness of Rapa Nui. Her life has been characterized by a deep social commitment, providing support to the elderly and participating in medical and dental operations for the Rapa Nui community.

Her dedication to the indigenous cause is reflected in her participation in various diplomas on indigenous rights and claims. This knowledge has been essential for her contribution to projects and cultural activities aimed at protecting and preserving Rapa Nui heritage. Her leadership has led her to be Honui of the Pakarati family and recognized as a “Community Leader of Chile, Latin America, and the Caribbean”.

In her current role as a director of the Ma’u Henua Indigenous Community, she works tirelessly to manage and support projects that contribute to the conservation and maintenance of Rapa Nui heritage. Her life and career are living testimonies of the connection between ancestral tradition and the active pursuit of a future that preserves and celebrates Rapa Nui’s cultural identity.

Ninoska Avareipua Huki Cuadros

Born in Quilpué on July 27, 1969, Ninoska Avareipua Huki Cuadros embodies the continental roots of her father, Julio, and the deep cultural connections of her Rapa Nui mother, Margarita. Her life unfolded between Rapa Nui and Quilpué, where she forged her educational path and laid the foundations of her commitment to her people’s identity.

Mother of two daughters, she shares with them her passion for music, reading, and weaving. With a degree in Administration Engineering from UNIAC and further education including a postgraduate degree in management and a diploma in conservation of cultural assets, she has become an expert in management.

With a distinguished career in public administration, Ninoska has gained extensive experience in obtaining and managing resources for social organizations. Her focus has always been on finding agreements and solutions that benefit the Rapa Nui community, as evidenced by her direct involvement in the exhibition and defense for the repeal of articles 13 and 14 of the Easter Island Law before the Constitutional Court, and her collaboration in the transfer of the park from the Government to the Rapa Nui people. Her leadership has translated into the successful implementation of various environmental projects, including the Rapa Nui Reforestation and Climate Change Education Program. Her contribution is also reflected in the last 10 years, where she has led innovative initiatives in the conservation and extraction of lichens, especially on three standing moai.

Currently, she holds the position of Provincial Director of Conaf and is a director of the Ma’u Henua Indigenous Community. Her tireless dedication continues to be a guiding light for the sustainable development of Rapa Nui and the preservation of its rich cultural heritage.

Tuhi Ira Tuki Hucke (Director)

Born on April 26, 1980, in Rapa Nui, Tuhi Ira Tuki Hucke began her educational journey at Lorenzo Baeza Vega High School. After completing her secondary education in France, Tuhi moved to New Zealand. Graduating in Resource and Environmental Planning, she gained a global perspective on environmental challenges and strategies to address them.

Married to Marc Shields and mother of four children, Tuhi returned to her beloved Rapa Nui, bringing with her a deep commitment to environmental protection and education. Her tireless work with Nua Piru has left a lasting impact, focusing on preserving the natural legacy for future generations.

In the cultural and heritage field, she is known for her support of projects involving young people dedicated to cultural learning. She works closely with Rapa Nui elders in documenting ancient oral history while developing educational materials in the Rapa Nui language for local schools.

As a director of the Ma’u Henua Indigenous Community, Tuhi leads with wisdom and passion, balancing her role with attention to her family and daily work. Her life is a testament to dedication to heritage preservation, cultural promotion, and building a sustainable future for Rapa Nui.