Corrected Version
Tēnā koutou katoa,
I hope this pānui finds you well.
On behalf of the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board, I am writing to let you know that we have appointed Shane Heremaia as our Chief Executive, from January 2020, for a period of three years.
This follows the fixed-term three-year appointment of our current Chief Executive Topia Rameka to the inaugural role of Deputy Chief Executive – Māori, at the Department of Corrections.
Shane is of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Tarawhai and Ngāti Pikiao descent and was until recently the General Manager of Te Kotahitanga o Te Arawa (Te Arawa Fisheries) and has been a previous Trustee of the Trust Board.
We are delighted to appoint Shane to this important role and we look forward to working with him as we continue to achieve great things for Ngāti Tūwharetoa.
Together with the Board, I am confident that Shane will continue the progress made to date, as well as create new opportunities for our organisation.
Shane has an MBA from Massey University and a LLM (Hons) from the University of Auckland. His career has seen him take on a multitude of roles within the legal industry: property law at Phillips Fox Auckland, a law lecturer position at the University, and Legal Counsel for Te Ohu Kaimoana. He gained global experience practising commercial law in London, before taking up the position at Te Arawa Fisheries.
Rakeipoho Taiaroa, will be the Acting Chief Executive from 7 October 2019 until Shane begins his role in January 2020.
I hope you all join me in welcoming Shane to the Trust Board and we know he will make a very valuable contribution to Ngāti Tūwharetoa.
Noho ora mai,
John Bishara
Chairman