100% iwi owned Moana New Zealand has introduced their first-ever Associate Director Programme designed to develop emerging Māori expertise and foster governance capabilities.
Rachel Taulelei, Chair of the Board, Moana New Zealand, says, “as an important part of the Māori Fisheries Settlement and the largest Māori owned fisheries company in Aotearoa, we have a responsibility to help develop and shape the future of the kaimoana sector, Māori economy and Aotearoa, and to provide meaningful opportunities for tomorrow’s leaders.”
“Instrumental to achieving this and building a business for the future is creating an environment of diversity, fresh thinking, and nurturing future leaders. We are excited to formally welcome the first of our future leaders – Ngarimu Parata (Ngati Porou, Ngai Tahu) and Linda Grave (Whakatōhea),” says Taulelei.
We are delighted to welcome Linda back to the Moana whānau. She has previously worked for Moana for close to ten years, giving her a sound understanding of Moana’s operations. Linda started her career at Deloitte, where she worked in Risk and Assurance for six years before moving to Moana where she served her long tenure in senior management and financial accounting roles. Linda has now relocated to the Eastern Bay of Plenty where she is the Executive & Corporate Decision Support at Te Whare Wānanga of Awanuiārangi. Linda has also held a number of advisory and committee member roles which have seen her involved in the development of Ōmarumutu Marae, the Whakatōhea Pre-settlement Claims Trust, and the Whakatōhea Fisheries Trust.
Linda says she is looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead and is excited to play an active role in shaping discussions and outcomes for Moana and the industry,
- “I am excited to be returning to the Moana whānau as an Associate Director and to continue to support the aspirations of iwi.”
Ngarimu started his career with Ngati Porou fisheries before moving to events management and project management for Ngati Porou and then becoming the Chief Advisor Māori at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. He has also served as chairperson on the Waiomatatini Marae Committee (Porourangi) and is a Director of Toitū Ngati Porou & Audit, Risk and Finance Committee Member for the Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou Group.
Ngarimu says he is looking forward to what this programme, and his appointment, means for the future of the industry,
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“we are carving out space for Māori people and perspective with this programme, and in turn shaping a kaimoana industry where our people are seen and heard. I hope to use the duality of my experience in Māori and Kaimoana roles to contribute to the industry, acknowledging the past, working in the present and planning for the future.”
Steve Tarrant, CEO at Moana New Zealand, looks forward to the programme and the success it will unlock for current and future Associate Directors, “we are committed to helping to develop Māori expertise and governance capabilities through our Associate Director Programme. We know we have a lot to offer to the Māori business leaders of tomorrow, including gaining exposure to a large, successful Māori business and learning from our experienced Board of Directors.”
“We are excited to be able to provide this unique opportunity to Ngarimu and Linda and those who follow after them,” says Tarrant, “we look forward to learning and growing alongside them and unfurling futures full of possibilities.”
About Moana New Zealand
Iwi are the true guardians of the world’s most pristine and sustainably managed fisheries. Moana New Zealand is the largest Māori-owned fisheries company in Aotearoa. It has a deep sense of responsibility to all people, respect for kaimoana and kai ora, and is dedicated to the wellbeing of future generations. It connects the world to the taste and magic of New Zealand’s best kaimoana.
For more information, interview requests or photos or videos, please contact:
comms@moana.co.nz