Trustees
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Paul Morgan ~ ChairmanPaul Morgan is of Ngäti Rärua and Te Mahurehure descent. He has been on the Trust as Chairman since it inception. He is a full-time executive deputy chairman of the Federation of Mäori Authorities (FOMA) based in Wellington. He has held a number of commercial directorships over many years including Chairman of Wakatü Incorporation and land trustee of Te Äwhina Marae. He has been a member of various government-appointed advisory groups and industry initiatives over the years. |
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Russell Barney Thomas ~ Vice ChairmanThrough Barney’s mother, his iwi connections are Ngäti Rärua, Ngäti Tama and Ngäti Toa and through his father, Ngäi Tahu. Barney has been a Trustee of the Ngäti Rärua Ätiawa Iwi Trust since 1993 and has been Vice Chairman since 1998. Barney was also Chairman of Ngäti Rärua Iwi Trust up until he retired in 2005 and he sat on the Board of Trustees for Whakarewa School from 1991 to 1993. Barney is currently the Pou Kura Taiao for the Department of Conservation in the Nelson/Marlborough area, having come from an Inland Revenue and Department of Labour employment background. |
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John MorganJohn is of Ngäti Rärua and Te Mahurehure descent. He has been a Ngäti Rärua Ätiawa Iwi Trustee for over ten years. He has also been a Trustee for the Ngäti Rärua Iwi Trust since that Trust’s inception. John has been a Director of Port Nicholson Fisheries for over four years. Most of his knowledge has been gained through his life experiences. |
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Olivia HallOlivia is of Ngati Rarua, Rangitane and Ngati Kuia descent. Olivia was appointed as a trustee in 2012. Previously the social and cultural Project Manager from 2004 until 2007. Olivia is currently employed in marketing for KONO NZ LP (an associated business of Wakatu Incorporation). Olivia resides in Nelson with her husband and their four sons. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Maori and a Masters of Business Administration. Olivia resigned 11 January 2013. |
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Rima PiggotRima joined the Board 2008 and is of Ngäti Rärua descent. Rima was born and raised on Whänau Whenua in Motueka and is married with two adult sons. Rima’s working background has varied over the years, from being a stay-at-home mum through to being the Operations Manager of our Horticulture business prior to the formation of Ngätahi. Rima’s current work entails part-time personal care and home help for the elderly and disabled. During the late 1990’s Rima was a Trustee for three consecutive terms on the Ngäti Rärua Iwi Trust. Rima’s interests and passions include her mokopuna, whänau, animal welfare, gardening and Iwi and Hapu concerns. She looks forward to continuing working with the board as a team and addressing any whänau concerns. Rima resigned 11 January 2013. |
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Röpata TaylorRöpata is of Ngäti Rärua and Te Ätiawa descent and currently works for Wakatü Incorporation as a General Manager. He has previously been a secondary school teacher and tertiary lecturer. He is a graduate of the U niversity of Otago. Röpata is the Chair of Te Äwhina Marae and is a Trustee of the Nelson Regional Economic Development Agency, Nelson Sculpture Trust and is ministerially appointed to the Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve. He is Chair of the Trust’s Audit Committee and Deputy Chair of Koru Investments. |
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Melanie Hinekohu McGregorMelanie is connected to Motueka through whakapapa links to her birth father Rongo Tupatea Röpata-Tangahoe. His parents – Tutere Ngämoana Röpata-Tangahoe and Francis Nukumaru Pullen. His Grandparents – Höhaia Rangiäuru and Wikitoria Nukumaru Rangiwhakapae. She was born and raised in Nelson and has five children and one mokopuna (Ava Hinekohu Te U ira Crisa). Melanie’s management experience comes from 26 years at Whakatü Marae with its establishment and development over that time. Her passion is for Mäori Development and the wellbeing of the whänau. |
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Emma ParkEmma Park is of Te Ätiawa decent and was appointed as a trustee in April 2008. She was the Associate Director for Wakatü Incorporation in 2007. Emma has a Bachelor of Business Degree and is currently working as an accountant for a medium sized chartered accounting firm in Hamilton. She is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants. Emma recently completed an Advanced Certificate in Mäori Ambassadorship and Leadership and she also actively utilizes her organizational and networking skills to support various individuals and community groups. |
The Origins of our Trust
Click here to read the fascinating history of our Trust, and our clear vision for the future...