Mō | About
Our commitment is to maintain strategic oversight of Taranaki economy by identifying opportunities for our network members; facilitating connections and relationships; and the promotion of Māori business excellence.
Our Vision
Te pae tawhiti
Building thriving circular economies around Taranaki maunga that connect us nationally and to the world
Our Mission
Me pēhea te haere
Supporting economic activity that enhances the mana and mauri of our people.
How we uphold the mana of our maunga for Māori Business
Tō tātou mātāpono
Kia whakawhanaunga | We care for and support each other, and provide a safe space for pakihi Māori
Kia tū rangatira | Economic empowerment through business
Kia Māori ai te angitu | We flourish as Māori
Kia Māui ai te mahi | We innovate, spot opportunities and push the boundaries
Board
Pou Toronga
Hayden Wano
Chair
Taranaki, Te Atiawa, Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Awa
Hayden has served in numerous governance roles over the years including being the current Chair of Te Hiringa Mahara (the Mental Health & Wellbeing Commission), and Trustee of Te Kāhui o Taranaki Trust.
He is also a Trustee on the Taranaki Arts Festival Board, on the New Zealand Board of SurfAid and a Trustee of Wise Group, a Hamilton-based NGO, which provides mental health, addiction, and social services.
His former roles include CEO of TuiOra and chairing organisations including the TSB Community Trust (now Toi Foundation), TSB Group Ltd, Taranaki District Health Board, the National Health Board, and the Health Sponsorship Council.
Anna Davis
Trustee
Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngati Porou
Anna is the proud business owner of Office Furniture First in New Plymouth with over 19 years’ experience and she has worked in the customer service industry for over 40 years. Office Furniture First is a Māori owned and operated retail supplier of office and marae furniture. She is also a valuable Board Member of He Toronga Pakihi ki Taranaki who was an integral member of the team who launched He Toronga Pakihi in 2010. Anna has a passion for Māori business and people and is someone who is always striving to exceed customer expectations.
Dion Herlihy
Trustee
Ngāti Mutunga, Taranaki, Te Atiawa
Dion is a business owner of Tandem Group Chartered Accountants in New Plymouth and has over 28 years of accounting experience, 12 of those years as a Director and business advisor. Tandem Group is the largest independent accounting firm in Taranaki and provides specialist support services in the commercial, rural, HR and IT sectors. Dion is passionate about giving local businesses a leg-up into owning their own businesses or growing their existing business and is excited at the opportunities that this organisation will bring for Māori business in Taranaki.
Alana Ruakere
Trustee
Taranaki, Te Atiawa,
A natural systems thinker, she is always curious to understand what makes things tick, if the way of doing things is working, and if not, what can be done to improve the situation. She has had experience reporting directly to Ministers and government agency Chief Executives and has enjoyed working with some incredibly passionate and smart public servants. She also feels very fortunate to have been able to support many Māori health and social service workforces to deliver excellence and innovation when serving whānau.
Outside of mahi Alana is a keen painter, poet and singer and she brings her passion for people to He Toronga Pakihi and a bit of her personal creativity to add a little pizazz.
Employees
Ringa Toronga
Paora Rauputu
Pouwhakahaere
Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tama
Paora’s depth of professional experience, including his MBA, Accounting and HR background for Tegal and most recently at Parininihi ki Waitotara, will be invaluable to assist He Toronga Pakihi ki Taranaki into its next stage of growth and development. He brings with him strong leadership skills and a passion for growing relationships and thriving Māori communities.
Paora lives in Puketapu with his wife Briar and 2 children. In his spare time, you might find him on the golf course or chasing his tamariki around at their many sporting practices.
Bailee Taipari
Pou-ā-tari
Waikato, Tainui
Coming to us from the culture and heritage industry, Bailee brings a unique perspective to the team.
With experience in artefact conservation and preservation in the community, she brings a diverse set of skills to the position. Outside of work, she enjoys reading a good book, being creative, and spending time with family. Passionate about seeing Māori succeed in business, she looks forward to contributing positively to He Toronga Pakihi ki Taranaki’s success.
Tetsu Garnett
Kaiwhakahaere Kaupapa
Tokelau
Tetsu joins us from her busy role where she was the Festival Manager for the Taranaki Garden Festival and Site Operations Coordinator for WOMAD.
Tetsu has extensive networks both regionally and nationally. She is well versed at maintaining and growing partnerships that enable positive outcomes for the Taranaki community to succeed. Tetsu is a married mother of two teenagers, and two Doberman dogs.
Our logo is inspired by Koro Taranaki: Taranaki Mounga. The large koru represents established businesses, and the small koru represents new or considered businesses. It is smaller to represent the tuakana / teina (older/younger) relationship where those established businesses can support and provide assistance to new businesses. Each koru is shown in a different direction to represent the fact that both established and new businesses have differing needs. The small koru is also positioned in front to show that at times even new businesses can lead the way.
Our name reflects the purpose of our rōpū which is to connect with like-minded kaipakihi to assist each other and to work together to grow and sustain the Taranaki Māori business community.
Waitohu (logo): Nā Mitchell Ritai
Kōrero whakamarama (explanation): Nā Ruakere Hond
Member Badge
Show your membership proudly with one of our badges – available to all current members – in 2 different colours to use on your digital and print collateral.
Click on the button below each badge to download the PDF file and please read over our conditions of use document.
Home page videography Kaiwhakaahua Tania Niwa Photographer.
At the heart of this panoramic image stand Taranaki Maunga, Pouākai, and Kaitake—enduring ancestors and guardians that connect and unify us across the Taranaki region.
Captured looking south from Waiwhakaiho (Rewarewa) and out to Te Papakura o Taranaki, the image also honours the rohe of the three central Ngāmotu hapū:
- Tāwhirikura (Waiwhakaiho, Rewarewa)
- Ngāti Tūparikono (Autere / East End, Te Hēnui awa mouth)
- Ngāti Te Whiti (Paritūtū and Ngā Motu / Sugar Loaf Islands)
This view reflects our shared whakapapa and the deep connection between land, sea, and people across Taranaki.
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