News

Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board Appoints New Chief Executive – Stakeholders

Corrected Version

To all our valued relationships, tēnā koutou katoa,

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.

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, and also continue to build and maintain strong relationships with our stakeholders.

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 of Auckland, and General Counsel for Te Ohu Kaimoana. He gained global experience practising commercial law in London, before taking up the position at Te Arawa Fisheries.

Shane’s appointment as CEO follows the vacancy created by the fixed-term three-year appointment of current Chief Executive Topia Rameka to the inaugural role of Deputy Chief Executive – Māori, at the Department of Corrections.

Our Commercial and Strategy Manager, 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, and your work with us.

Noho ora mai,

John Bishara
Chairman