Riki is the Kaiārihi Taiao (Environmental Lead) for the Hokonui Rūnanga Kaupapa Taiao team. 
After a successful career as a chef, Riki re-trained in Environmental Management with a Masters in Environmental Science. His timely return to Murihiku and driving passion for the environment has resulted in the establishment of the Kaupapa Taiao programme in 2020. The purpose of the programme is to ensure that the Hokonui Rūnanga increases capacity to exercise kaitiakitanga and rangatiratanga across the takiwā of the Hokonui Rūnanga with a focus on Mātauranga Māori and a management approach aligned with the principal of ki uta ki tai (mountains to the sea). 
Riki Parata (left), with Jo Brand and Mollie Lyders