It symbolises the convergence of many rivers and the idea that we can accomplish more for the well-being of whānau in Te Waipounamu by uniting our efforts.

The eight iwi are represented as equal shareholders in Te Taumata who provide high level strategic and cultural oversight to Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu. The General Partner Limited Board provides operational governance.

Our team

Te Kapa

Our kaimahi are divided into six teams that support whānau at different stages of their Whānau Ora journeys.

Meet the team

Our people

Te Taumata

Formed in partnership by eight iwi of Te Waipounamu

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua

Amoroa (Molly) Luke

Co-Chairperson

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Kuia Trust

Gena Moses-Te Kani

Co-Chairperson

Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira Inc

Taku Parai

Co-Chairperson

Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō Charitable Trust

Hinemoa Connor

Representative

Te Rūnanga o Rangitane o Wairau

Janis de Thierry

Representative

Ngāti Tama ki Te Waipounamu Trust

Nikki Jones

Representative

Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui Trust

Rita Powick

Representative

Ngāti Koata Trust

Melanie McGregor

Representative

Our people

General Partner Limited Board

Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Apa, Rangitāne, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Toa, Ngāi Tahu

Rebecca Mason

Rebecca has worked for major corporations and government departments in Aotearoa and London. She has been responsible for country-wide strategic planning processes, has broad commercial and pricing experience, and has brokered international collaborations. She is currently a member of the Te Runanga o Ngāti Kuia Board, the Co-Chair of the PHARMAC Māori Advisory Rōpū and holds several other governance roles. Rebecca is also a Chartered Accountant, member of the Institute of Directors, and is the Tumuaki of her Whakatū based business Meihana Consulting.

Ngāi Tahu, Ngati Kurī

Tā Mark Solomon

CHAIRPERSON

Tā Mark Solomon was born and raised in Christchurch where he lives there with his wife Maria, their children and extended whānau. Tā Mark served as kaiwhakahaere (chairperson) of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, the tribal council of Ngāi Tahu, for approximately 18 years, from 1998 until December 2016. In 2013, he was recognised as Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori and Business. He was previously deputy Chair of Canterbury District Health Board, and is also founding Chairman of the Māori Carbon Collective. He is also the South Island representative on the interim, Te Roopu, The Māori advisory group to the Government’s joint venture on family violence and sexual violence. Tā Mark has been a strong advocate in Te Waipounamu for Tū Pono: Te Mana Kaha o te Whānau, a whānau-driven movement that has a focus to explore ways of enabling a stronger Māori response to reduce and eliminate family harm/violence. More recently he was appointed to the steering group who provided advice for the establishment of the Māori Health Authority.

Ngāi Tahu

Simon Heath

Simon Heath has been a leader in education for 35 years in Te Tau Ihu as a teacher and principal. He holds Ministerial appointments, including on the Education Council Aotearoa New Zealand, and was the establishment chair of the philanthropic trust, Mistletoe Charitable Foundation.

Ngāi Tahu

Renata Davis

Renata Davis is a senior solicitor at Bell Gully, having previously held roles as a Policy Advisor at Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and a solicitor at AWS Legal. He is also a longstanding committee member on the Rakiura Tītī Islands Administering Body, and is an active tītī gatherer on his whānau manu at Putauhinu Island. Renata has a strong interest in the protection of iwi rights and interest and Māori development, and hopes to contribute to creating better outcomes for whānau as a director for Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu.

Ngāi Tahu, Te Whakatōhea

Jymal Morgan

Jymal Morgan has decades of experience in senior management and leadership positions with a specific focus in the fields of science, research, business and innovation. He has an interest in creating spaces for Māori to be leading these areas to advance positive social, cultural and economic outcomes for all New Zealanders. Closer to home, Jymal is an advocate for his people from Ōnuku, holding various directorships, governance and advisory roles on behalf of his rūnanga.

Jymal is at the forefront of Māori language and cultural revitalisation and is passionate about uplifting and strengthening his whānau so that his tamariki are part of the next generation of naturalised te reo speakers.

He is currently the General Manager Māori Impact, at ESR.

Whānau Ora History

Te Hītori o Whānau Ora

Whānau Ora approach puts whānau at the centre of change

Whānau Ora is a Māori approach to delivering social and health services to whānau, created to address systemic inequities that have resulted in poorer outcomes for Māori. The Whānau Ora approach puts whānau at the centre of change and supports them to fulfil their dreams and aspirations.

Read more about Whānau Ora

Whānau Ora in Te Waipounamu

Te Pūtahitanga

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