Pania Newtown
Founder, SOUL (Ihumātao)

From a childhood of struggle Pania (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Waikato, Ngāti Mahuta) never focused on the negative, but was fortunate to stay true to her Māoritanga. At nine years old she wrote in a time capsule that she wanted to be a lawyer to make a difference. After working hard to achieve that, she has temporarily left her law career to fulfill her purpose and responsibility to the environment for future generations. Pania’s path through life has led her to finding her purpose, her kaupapa: protecting our whenua, Ihumatao. Doing what she was born to do, with her tupuna beside her guiding her to be the kaitiaki of the land. She now dedicates her time to huis and the occupation of Ihumatao land. Everything she does is for others; her nieces and nephews, her whanau, and future generations, so the sacrifices are without regret. As a frontline protector of Ihumatao she has had to step out of her comfort zone and face challenges, all in the name of saving a unique and sacred land, contributing to a better Aotearoa for all.

Tina Porou
Poipoia

Tina Porou (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Ngāti Rakaipaaka, Ngāti Maniapoto) works largely in the intersection of indigenous knowledge and contemporary environmental challenges. She advocates for the importance of traditional knowledge and practices leading modern science to create sustainable solutions that honor the legacy of our tipuna while addressing the needs of future generations. She has worked in a range of fields including freshwater, geothermal taonga, climate change matters and within the Maori economy.

Merepeka Raukawa-Tait
Chair, Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency

Merepeka (Te Arawa) has an impressive resume including being a small business owner, former CEO of Hospice West Auckland and former CEO of the NZ Women’s Refuge. The latter two positions made Merepeka the ideal Chair as she had first-hand experience with whānau who were on the knife edge, one exiting this world and the other trying to rediscover the new world.

Merepeka is a leading advocate for the rights of women & children and a strong public voice in the campaign to understand and prevent family violence. She also has a wealth of experience in the fields of business, management & politics.

Jamie Tuuta
Chair, Sealord

Jamie Tuuta, of Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Maru, Te Ati Awa, Taranaki Tūturu descent, is an experienced Director with deep commercial and governance experience across various industries and sectors. Currently Chair of Maori Television and Tourism New Zealand and a Director of Moana New Zealand and a number of other boards, Jamie is committed to the broader iwi commercial landscape and is passionate about iwi success in the fisheries space.

Jamie is passionate about investment in innovation and increasing the capability and the economic and environmental performance of our primary industries, in particular the Maori pastoral and fishing sectors. He also has a keen interest in Maori economic development that is both profitable and sustainable and builds the necessary capability for future growth and success.

Chelsea Grootveld
JR McKenzie Trust

Dr Chelsea Grootveld (Waikato, Ngai Tai, Ngāti Porou, Whānau-a-Apanui, Whakatōhea, Te Arawa) has an extensive background in research, public policy, and evaluation. She completed her doctoral studies in 2013, gaining a PhD in Education, at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington and started Aiko, an indigenous research and evaluation company.

Chelsea joined the High Performance Sport New Zealand Board in2019. She is a member of the Institute of Directors, Chair of JR McKenzie Trust, Deputy-Chair of Iti Kōpara, Director of CORE Education Limited, Board member of International Funders For Indigenous Peoples, former Chair of Hato Pāora College Board of Trustees, and former Future Director of the Sport New Zealand Board. Chelsea was a Women in Governance award winner in 2019.

Proud māmā to Kahuroa and Mihi-Terina, hoa rangatira to Timoti Brown. Chelsea is a former netball player, triathlete and trail runner and prioritises being physically active and maintaining consistent health and wellbeing practices. Her dodgy knee means she is now a proud member of Māia Crossfit and also coaches the PIC aunties netball team.

Karen Vercoe

Waerenga East West Incorporation & Paehinahina Mourea Trust

Karen Vercoe (Te Arawa, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Mākino) has extensive governance and management expertise across various sectors working with Iwi, Māori, Pacific and Government organisations.

Under Karen’s leadership, her staff won national awards, contributed to legislation, and influenced local and regional planning documents. Prior to her role at Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Karen founded KTV Consulting, a company focussed on supporting Māori, Pacific, mainstream and government organisations to achieve business success through improved governance, strategy, operational excellence, and improved service delivery performance. Karen was the Senior Consultant for NZ company Kahui Tautoko Consulting and held the role of Māori Health Manager at Pharmac.

Karen is a double international athlete, representing New Zealand in Women’s Rugby and Touch Rugby. She holds a Master of Management degree from the University of Auckland and is a current member on two governance committees: Paehinahina Mourea and Waerenga East West Incorporation.

Tania Simpson
Tainui Group Holdings

Tania Te Rangingangana Simpson (Tainui, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāpuhi)is currently a director at Tainui Group Holdings, Meridian Energy Waste Management NZ and Auckland International Airport. She is the Chair of the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge and a member of the Deep South National Science Challenge Governance Group. Tania is also a member of the Waitangi Tribunal and Deputy Chair of the Waitangi National Trust.

Tania has extensive experience in corporate governance, policy development and business with a long history of governance roles. She also holds the distinction of being the first Māori director on the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Board where she was the Deputy Chair.

Tania is an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to governance and Māori. The title sits alongside others Tania already holds, including the rank of Commander in the Order of the Taniwha, a tikanga-based honour system established by Kīngi Tuheitia in 2014 to celebrate the efforts of Māori; and the rank of Dame Commander in the Order of St Lazarus, a charitable order established in Europe in 1098 that has been active here since 1962.

She has served 15 years (and counting) with the Waitangi Tribunal as a panel member on a wide range of inquiries. She founded Maori Consulting company Kowhai Consulting which has operated for 30 years employing a team of staff based in the Waikato Maniapoto region.

Dr. Eruera Tarena
Tokona te Raki: Maori Future Makers

Dr Eruera (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau-a-Apanui) has a strong background in te reo, tikanga, and language revitalisation. He is currently Chair of Te Māngai Pāho and has extensive experience across Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and governance including as Executive Director for Tokona te Raki: Māori Futures Collective.

He was a First Nations Future Fellow at Stanford University in 2011 and was awarded his PhD in 2015 for his study of indigenous organization, their design and ow they balance culture and commerce. Most important, Dr. Eruera is the father of four tamariki raised in te reo who are his driving force in language revitalisation efforts and his reality check on how younger generations are choosing to express themselves and their culture through te reo.

Bayden Barber
Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated

Bayden’s (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tahu and Ngā Puhi) strengths lie in organisational governance and leadership. He currently holds a number of governance roles for local, regional and national organisations currently including Chair of Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated and Director at Beef + Lamb New Zealand. He has solid business acumen and an informed view on local and national political and social issues.

He is versed in tikanga and fluent in te reo Māori. In addition to formal governance roles, Bayden holds a number of voluntary community leadership positions in an effort to support community development.

Introducing our very first exclusive merch drop – the official Amorangi hoody! Available to purchase for only $80 for all in-person attendees. For those joining us virtually, aroha mai, we are unable to ship these just yet – but watch this space! 

These hoodies are sleek, stylish, and super cosy, and isn’t just a piece of merch—it’s a memento of te hui o te tau!  

Already registered and want to add merch to your order? Kei te pai, just log back in to your registration portal and add it at the checkout. 

Hoodies will be distributed in-person on the day of the event. 

Atawhai Tibble
Chair, Haemata Limited

Atawhai (Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau a Apanui, Tūwharetoa, Whanganui, Raukawa ki te Tonga) has extensive experience in the public service and has worked as a Manager and a Senior Advisor at a range of agencies including Te Taura Whiri i te Reo, Te Puni Kōkiri, and the Ministry of Education. He has also has experience in the Beehive where he was an advisor to the the Ministers of Education and Māori Affairs.

Mayor Tory Whanau
Wellington City Council

Originally from Pātea in South Taranaki, Tory is of Pakakohi and Ngā Ruahine descent. She has worked in marketing, as a film censor, and as a chief of staff for the Green Party during their time in Government.

Tory was elected on a platform of change. More affordable housing, better public transport and more opportunities for walking and cycling are central to her vision of a city that’s future-focused and inclusive. She is working to strengthen relationships with mana whenua and celebrate the diversity of our communities.

Behind the scenes she is a strong advocate for our hospitality scene and helping business owners bring the vibe back to our inner city. That means looking after our artists, innovators and creatives as well. They are a key part of what makes Wellington an attractive destination to visitors from around the world, and a great place to live.

Taleta Dearden

Taleta Dearden, from Ōtautahi, is a dynamic presenter, host & journalist with a rich background in the music industry, having interviewed artists and engaged with crowds at Aotearoa’s biggest music festivals. She has served as a panel host and interviewer at the Christchurch Hip Hop Summit and has also hosted Christchurch Poly Fest.

A graduate of radio school, Taleta began her career in media and broadcasting, working at various radio stations before becoming an independent host and presenter. Taleta is passionate about connecting with people & sharing their stories.

Additionally, she is skilled in acting, modelling, and dancing, bringing a multifaceted talent to all her endeavors.