Ngāti Kere, Ngāti Kahungungu, Ngāti Whitikaupeka, Ngāti Tamakōpiri, Ngāti Hauiti, Ngāi Te Ohuake.

Lavinia’s whakapapa on both sides of her whānau has strong connections to Mōkai Pātea.  The Jacobsen and Doole whānau were early settlers in the Taihape District. Farming just North of Taihape for the Jacobsen whānau and at Pukeokahu for the Doole whānau. 

Lavinia ’s affiliation to Mōkai Pātea iwi is through her Grandfather Parata Wereta, his parents, Ngapera Pine and Tawake Wereta. Lavinia’s mother is Lorraine Wereta/Kiriona who lives in Taihape.  Lavinia’s Ngāti Kere, connections are through her Grandmother Ruiha Te Atua,  her father Hone Te Whakapai Te Atua and mother Ruiha Ratima.  Lavinia’s grandparents Ruiha (known as Billy) and Parata (known as Para) lived at Moawhango until they moved to Hastings in the 1970’s.

Born in Taihape, Lavinia attended Taihape Primary and Taihape College. Moving in 1981 with her three younger siblings to Hikutaia (near Paeroa) with their father Bill Jacobsen. Lavinia completed secondary schooling at Paeroa College, and a year as an AFS exchange student in Japan.  Following 10 years of work, Lavinia took time out to complete a Bachelor of Management studies at Waikato University, then returned to full time work.

Professional Experience

Industry experience includes working  Iwi organisations & Whānau Land Share Trust, Tourism & Visitor Information, Sport & Recreation, Gaming & Hospitality, Government Agency, and Retail.

Governance experience as a Trustee includes the Counties Manukau Pacific Trust (Vodafone Events Centre Manukau), Counties Manukau Thames Valley Cometz Netball Franchise (then Coca Cola Cup), Tourism Coromandel and Whānau Land Share Trust.

Director KTV Ventures Ltd and currently contracted as lead consultant to Mōkai Pātea Waitangi Claims Trust as Programme Manager

CEO and management experience includes Counties Manukau Sport Foundation, Whangamata i-Site & Visitor Centre,  Government Agency.

Lavinia, her husband Kelvyn Eglinton and their son Tai returned from living overseas in 2016, where Kelvyn’s work gave them experiences across Asia Pacific.  They have settled in Matangi, between Cambridge and Hamilton.  Lavinia coordinates her time between commitments at Matangi/Hamilton and Taihape.