He was born in Rotorua and was educated at Auckland University, Waikato University, Massey University and Waikato Polytechnic. He has graduated with an LL.B and has passed papers toward the Massey Diploma in Guidance and Counselling. He has complete papers in Ataarangi from Waikato Polytechnic and Māori Studies from Waikato University. He is employed as a policy analyst in the Ministry of the Environment. He writes non-fiction information pieces.
Biographical sources
- Correspondence with Whareaitu on12 Dec. 1992.
- Mana Tiriti: The Art of Protest and Partnership. Wellington, N.Z.: Haeata Måori Women’s Art Collective
- Project Waitangi, Wellington City Art Gallery
- Daphne Brasell, 1991. 48.
Sound recordings
- "Maruwhenua - Ministering to the Environment." Mana Tiriti: The Art of Protest and Partnership. Wellington, N.Z.: Haeata Māori Women’s Art Collective; Project Waitangi, Wellington City Art Gallery; Daphne Brasell, 1991. 48-49.
- Whareaitu describes the work of Maruwhenua, the Māori directorate of the Ministry for the Environment, and writes of Maruwhenua’s role in promoting the recognition of Treaty principles into recent legislation.
- Consultation with Tangata Whenua: A Guide To Assist Local Authorities In Meeting The Consultation Requirements Of The Resource Management Act 1991. Wellington, N.Z.: Ministry for the Enviroment/Manatu Mō Te Taiao, 1991.
- Whareaitu provides a comprehensive handbook for local authorities on guidelines for consulting tangata whenua. Whareaitu discusses why consultation is necessary, highlights the sections of the Resource Management Act that clearly stipulate the need for consultation, and outlines when consultation is appropriate and what it should involve. Whareaitu addresses the question of who should be consulted, lists various national groups that may be approached and discusses where consultations should take place. The appendices include a map of tribal districts, addresses of the eight district offices of the Māori Land Court, protocol for going on to a marae, a glossary of Māori terms, references in the Resource Management Act to Māori issues and a bibliography.
- The Resource Management Act: Kia Matiratira: A Guide for Māori. Wellington, N.Z.: Ministry for the Environment/Manatu Mō Te Taiao, 1992.
- This publication, prepared by Whareaitu and with a Foreword by Roger Blakeley and Shane Jones, ‘explains those parts of the [Resource Management] Act [1991] that have implications for the development and self determination of Māori people. It is aimed at assisting Māori development of their resources.’ The opening chapter gives a clear history of the Act, explains the terms used and lists the situations it covers. Whareaitu discusses the implications of the Act in terms of promoting ‘the sustainable management of natural and physical resources’ and gives a clear analysis of the chain of command and scope of different government departments. He examines the scope and accountability of Local Authorities, explores issues concerning land and water, iwi management plans, waahi tapu and heritage protection. The appendices include a structure of the Act, references in the Act to Māori terms; examples of application and submission, an example of a development proposal, application and submission processes, a statement by the Surveyor-General, a list of agencies that will assist iwi in understanding the Act, and a bibliography.