Our executive committee represent our member organisations.
Tanira Kingi
Ngāti Whakaue, Te Arawa
Tanira is an experienced agricultural economist with more than three decades of expertise within New Zealand’s primary industries, predominantly as a research scientist. His extensive science background also includes numerous government and Ministerial advisory group roles focusing on Māori land tenure and environmental policy reforms. Affiliated with Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Rangitihi, and Te Arawa, Dr Kingi brings a deep understanding of indigenous perspectives to his advisory work, contributing valuable insights to policy development and implementation.
Tina Ngatai
Ngāti Whakaue, Tapuika, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāti Porou
With academic honours including an MBA with distinction from Waikato University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Māori Development from Auckland University, Tina has held several governmental roles and currently serves on various trust boards, including Chair of the Hauora, Manaaki Ora Trust, and trustee positions with Onuku Māori Lands Trust, Pukaingataru B12 Trust, and Pukeroa Oruawhata Group. She is committed to advancing her Iwi and community, ensuring growth, resilience, and sustainability while advocating for Maori and marginalised groups.
Roku Mihinui
Tūhourangi
Roku’s upbringing in Whakarewarewa instilled a deep sense of responsibility towards the wellbeing of his whānau and hapū within the Marae setting. Growing up near a unique geothermal environment presented both challenges and opportunities, requiring a profound understanding and respect for co-existence. These formative experiences laid a strong foundation for Roku’s personal and professional growth across diverse sectors such as forestry, tourism, justice services, social services, education, policy development, treaty settlements, agribusiness, natural biodiversity, environmental sustainability, and freshwater fisheries. Roku’s involvement in various boards reflects his background and expertise, aligning with organisations committed to positively impacting Māori wellbeing, environmental conservation, and community welfare.
Laurance Tamati
Ngāti Pikiao
Following his retirement from the New Zealand Army in 1997, Laurance returned to Rotorua and has since dedicated himself to the development of Iwi, hapū, and whānau. With governance positions in Māori land trusts, incorporations, post-settlement entities, and commercial companies, Laurance is instrumental in furthering Māori interests. Laurance holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Business from the University of Auckland, and is currently General Manager for Ngāti Mākino Iwi Authority.
Te Taru White
Ngāti Pikiao, Tainui, Ngāti Porou
Te Taru serves as an elected member of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, contributing to the Risk and Assurance Committee and Komiti Māori. With a wealth of governance experience spanning the private and public sectors, and expertise extending from scientific and applied research to indigenous socio-economic development, Te Taru has held roles as Trustee and Chairman of numerous land trusts and incorporations within Te Arawa. He has also served as a Board member of the National Federation of Māori Authorities and is Deputy Chairman of the Te Arawa Federation of Māori Authorities. Additionally, he chairs the Te Tatau o Te Arawa partnership with Rotorua Lakes Council and serves on the board of the Māori trade advocacy group, Te Taumata.
Wally Lee
Tūhourangi, Ngāti Wāhiao, Ngāti Whakaue
Born and raised in Rotorua, Wally began governance of whenua Māori in 2007 and now has an extensive background in leadership of ahu whenua land blocks. He is the current Chair of Tumunui Land Trust, Waipupumahana Land Trust, co-chair of Rotokakahi Board of Control and a Trustee on a number of Tuhourangi/Ngāti Wahiao whenua blocks including Rotomahana Parekarangi 6J2B5B, Kapenga M, Tokerau A10 and Peka Land Trust.
After 18 years as a professional firefighter, Wally took an opportunity to join the Ministry of Primary Industries, Māori Agribusiness Team in February 2020. Covering the Bay of Plenty region, Wally is now five years into working with Māori Land Trusts helping to build capability across the agricultural and horticulture sector.
John Fenwick
With more than 35 years of experience, John has served in various capacities, including chairing Otukawa Whenua Limited Partnership and holding trusteeships, committee memberships, and directorships across diverse sectors such as dairy farming, mining, geothermal power, forestry, tourism, and aviation. This breadth of experience has equipped him with a unique understanding of long-term decision-making and the importance of analysing all available opportunities. Currently engaged in a residential development programme in Rotorua, John bring a wealth of knowledge in commercial business and property development.
Bill Young – General Manager
Ngati Tuara Ngāti Kea
Bill Young has been a marketing and communications consultant for more than 30 years and also manages his whānau dairy farm and is chair of his hapū farming trust, Te Paiaka Lands Trust.
With roles at Television New Zealand, Carter Holt Harvey, Māori Television, Huia Communications and APR Consultants, Bill has developed valuable insights into strategic planning, decision-making and Māori land development.