Kaiwhakahaere Pakihi | General Manager Business Services & Operations
Kirsty Tamanui - Ngāti Porou, NgaAriki Kaiputahi
Kirsty joined the team in July 2017 and has developed better business practice, management and operations oversight. Kirsty is the Trust's key relationship contact for our Crown and local Council partners, manages our assets and the Trusts' business and office operations.
Immediately prior to joining Taranaki Whānui, Kirsty was the Business Manager, Policy Partnerships for Te Puni Kōkiri and brings with her 10 years of business management experience.
Pūtea Pae Whakahaere | Finance Manager
Willy Makea - Ngāti Kahungunu
Willy joined the team in December 2016 and manages all financial activities of the Trust, and related commercial entities.
Born and bred in Hawke's Bay, Willy has iwi affiliations to Ngati Kahungunu. Willy is a recent graduate of Victoria University of Wellington (2014) where he majored in economics and finance. In his young career, Willy has also worked at the Treasury where he was a graduate analyst in the Education team.
Database Manager
Kaleb Rongokea - Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tuhoe
Kaleb joined the Trust in July 2019 to support the team with the review of the Trust's database. The work Kaleb has done has enable the Trust to launch a new database - TikiOS - and is the person members talk to when making a membership enquiry.
Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive
Kara Puketapu-Dentice - Te Āti Awa, Ngāi Tuhoe
Kara was appointed to the role of Chief Executive in January 2024. Kara will be leading out priority kaupapa for the Trustees, such as the completion of the Trust's strategic direction, membership engagement and working collaboratively with our whānaunga entities to enable a collective exploration for shared opportunities. Kara was born and raised in Wainuiomata and is of Te Āti Awa and Ngāi Tūhoe descent.