<h2><img alt="Anthony Thompson - Whakauae" src="/uploads/images/Anthony-Thompson.jpg" style="font-size:13px; height:320px; margin-bottom:15px; width:320px" /></h2>

<h2>Anthony Thompson, BSc</h2>

<h3>Ng&#257;ti Hauiti, Ng&#257;ti Whitikaupeka</h3>

<h3>Board Chair</h3>

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<p>I have been a member of the Whakauae Board of Directors for four and a half years and took up the position of Board Chair in mid-2022. I began as a rangatahi representative on Te R&#363;nanga o Ng&#257;ti Hauiti, transitioning to being a representative of one of my hap&#363;, Ng&#257;ti Whiti-Hauiti in 2019. In 2019, I also joined the Rangatahi Group of the National Iwi Chairs Forum and am a representative on the Pou Taiao.</p>

<p>I have appreciated the many opportunities I have had to learn from iwi leaders. As a rangatahi, I participated in the Ng&#257;ti Hauiti young leaders development programme &#39;He Whet&#363; Arataki&#39; which was part of my preparation to take up future leadership roles within the Iwi. It is my aim to help nurture others and support the future for our M&#257;ori people.&nbsp;I have a keen interest in hauora and the future wellbeing of wh&#257;nau, hap&#363; and iwi. My passion is to help preserve our culture and work towards improving our future prospects as a people.</p>

<p>I have recently completed a Bachelor of Science, with a double major in environmental science and geo-spatial science. In 2015, I successfully completed a certificate of oral proficiency in Te Reo M&#257;ori with Te W&#257;nanga Takiura o Ng&#257; Kura Kaupapa M&#257;ori o Aotearoa in R&#363;maki Reo. I am currently employed by SkyCity as the Group Sustainability Manager. My aim is to gain management experience and build relationships within the private sector to bolster my skills and knowledge and use these experiences to give back to my iwi and my people. I aim to continue building my knowledge around the three pillars of sustainability: environment, people, and economy by continuing my development in governance, environment, and cultural aspects both Indigenous and Western.&nbsp;My partner and I live in T&#257;maki Makaurau with other Hauiti wh&#257;nau.</p>

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<p><img alt="Dr Erica Williams - Te Arawa, Ng&#257;ti Whakaue, Ng&#257;ti Pikiao, Te Wh&#257;nau &#257; Apanui" src="/uploads/images/Dr-Erica-Williams(1).jpg" style="height:320px; margin-bottom:15px; width:320px" /></p>

<h2>Dr Erica Williams</h2>

<h3>Te Arawa, Ng&#257;ti Whakaue, Ng&#257;ti Pikiao, Te Wh&#257;nau &#257; Apanui</h3>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>I am currently Pou Whakarae - Te Hiringa Taiao within the - M&#257;ori Environmental Research (Te K&#363;waha) with NIWA (the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research) based in Wellington.</p>

<p>In 1995 I joined NIWA as a technician in the eco-toxicology lab. I have since completed a MSc (University of Waikato) and a PhD (University of Auckland) which investigated the effects of a group of contaminants called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on shellfish. As a principal scientist I worked&nbsp; on a wide range of projects spanning both the marine and freshwater environments within the National Centre of M&#257;ori Environmental Research. In May 2019, I was appointed as a Board Director with Whakauae Research.</p>

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<p><img alt="Simon Karipa " src="/uploads/images/Simon-Karipa.jpg" style="height:320px; margin-bottom:15px; width:320px" /></p>

<h2>Simon Karipa</h2>

<h3>Ng&#257; Wairiki Ng&#257;ti Apa, Te &#256;tihaunui-&#257;-P&#257;p&#257;rangi, Ng&#257;ti Hauiti) BA (Hons), LLB, PG Dip Bus Ad (Dist)</h3>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>I descend from Te Rina Hunia (a consequence of the marriage of Ruta Kau of Ng&#257;i Te &#362;pokoiri and Kawana Hunia of Ng&#257; Wairiki Ng&#257;ti Apa) and Hoani Mete-Kingi (son of Te Rangi Paetahi of Te &#256;tihaunui-&#257;-P&#257;p&#257;prangi and Ng&#257; Wairiki Ng&#257;ti Apa).&nbsp; I was born in Whanganui and now reside there with my partner and step-daughter.</p>

<p>I am an experienced company director, trustee and senior executive with a legal and management background.&nbsp;My professional career has included executive roles in the public sector, financial services sector and roles with iwi/M&#257;ori organisations including a stint as Business Manager with Whakauae Research Services Limited, Claims Manager with M&#333;kai P&#257;tea Waitangi Claims Trust, General Counsel at Te Ohu Kaimoana and General Manager at Ng&#257;ti Apa ki te R&#257; T&#333;.&nbsp; I have also run my own consultancy providing a number of services to iwi/M&#257;ori organisations.</p>

<p>My other current governance roles include chairing both Te Ngakinga o Whanganui Investment Trust and Whanganui Iwi Fisheries Limited (the commercial entities of the Te Awa Tupua settlement), director of Whanganui District Council Holdings Limited (the Council-controlled organisation for Whanganui District Council), director of Te P&#363;ia T&#257;papa GP Limited (a pan-iwi/M&#257;ori investment fund) and an alternate trustee on the Crown Forestry Rental Trust.&nbsp;Previously, I have served as a r&#363;nanga member for Ng&#257; Wairiki Ng&#257;ti Apa, a trustee of the Papawhenua Charitable Trust, a member of the independent Charities Registration Board and an independent member of the Federation of M&#257;ori Authorities&rsquo; Audit and Risk Committee. I joined the board of Whakauae Research Services Ltd in August 2022.</p>

<p>Outside of work I enjoy fishing, hunting and relaxing at home.&nbsp; I have played both senior rugby (including representative honours while at university) and senior cricket, and enjoy most ball sports.</p>

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<p><img alt="Tamahauiti Potaka" src="/uploads/images/Tamahauiti-Potaka.jpg" style="height:320px; margin-bottom:15px; width:320px" /></p>

<h2>Tamahauiti Potaka</h2>

<h3>Ng&#257;ti Hauiti, Ng&#257;i Te Ohuake, Te &#256;tihaunui-&#257;-P&#257;p&#257;rangi) BCom, BSc</h3>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>I am a descendant of Rora Te Oiroa (Ng&#257;i Te Ohuake, Ng&#257;ti Hauiti, Ng&#257;ti Hinemanu) and Utiku Potaka&rsquo;s (Ng&#257;ti Hauiti) youngest son Tumihau (Jack) Potaka. Tumihau married Raihania Waitere (Ng&#257;ti Apa, T&#363;wharetoa, Te &#256;tihaunui-&#257;-P&#257;p&#257;rangi) and had my koro Tumihau Potaka II. Koro Tumihau married my nan Hilda Chadwick (Ng&#257;ti Tama, Te &#256;tihaunui-&#257;-P&#257;p&#257;rangi) and they had my father Eldon Potaka. I grew up in Otaki attending k&#333;hanga reo and kura tuatahi before moving to Rotorua to attend boarding school at Raukura (Rotorua Boys&rsquo; High).</p>

<p>I joined the board of Whakauae Research Services Ltd in 2022 as an Associate Director and rangatahi representative. I am currently a Strategy and Implementation Analyst at Fonterra. I have held a range of roles across the organisation working largely on responsible sourcing commitments, sustainability strategy, M&#257;ori strategy and sustainability solutions. In 2021, I completed a conjoint Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science degree from Waipapa Taumata Rau (University of Auckland), majoring in management, marketing, marine science and geography. I am presently residing in T&#257;maki Makaurau. Outside of mahi I enjoy spending times with mates and wh&#257;nau, exploring my whakapapa, attempting CrossFit, and enjoy being in or on the water.</p>
