“I am thrilled to be returning to Te Tai Hauauru, the place where I began my career travelling through these lands in the time of MACCESS*” says Nancy, (Ngāti Rangi, Te Ātihaunui-ā-Pāpārangi).

“My job is to make sure that our offices across Te Tai Hauāuru are equipped with the right skills, experience and resources to support whānau to thrive.  Our role is to work alongside whānau, hapū, iwi and Māori communities to develop their aspirations.

Nancy brings a wealth of national leadership and central government experience to the role, combined with a strong background in iwi development, governance, health, environment and an unwavering commitment to a prosperous future for her people.

She is clear headed, passionate and honest with a knack for cutting to the heart of the matter and finding a common goal.

On the road and working together

While Nancy will be based in the Whanganui office, she will spend plenty of time ‘out and about’ meeting and listening to communities to understand their aspirations and see how Te Puni Kōkiri may support their future planning.

“You’ll see me out there from Taranaki to Wellington, at the top of the South in Te Tau Ihu and out to the Chatham Islands.  I am excited to be working on the ground again, the insights that we gain from working to the people is able to contribute directly to policy.”

“About 75 per cent of iwi in Te Tai Hauāuru have achieved their settlements, so we are looking ahead. Together we can create a better understanding of what we need, and design whānau-centred initiatives that develop our people. It’s exciting stuff!”

Filling up the kete

Nancy was previously Chief Advisor to the Te Puni Kōkiri Toihautū (Chief Executive) with a leadership role in championing Whānau Ora and its adoption throughout the public service.

Prior to that, Nancy worked for her iwi for 25 years. She started in the early 1990s as a Māori and Pacific Island Recruit at the Department of Māori Affairs, working with Dame Tariana Turia and helped in the establishment phase of Te Oranganui Iwi Health Authority. Nancy went on to lead the Whanganui River Māori Trust Board under the stewardship of the late Sir Archie Taiaroa, forming relationships with iwi across Te Tai Hauauru and the Country in relation to freshwater and fisheries.

Te Puni Kōkiri regional leaders

Nancy joins a group of experienced, committed and locally connected Te Puni Kōkiri Regional Managers throughout the country. She is the sixth member of this team.

She has almost come full circle, in the early 90s she was the Personal Assistant to the Regional Director for Te Tai Hauāuru at Māori Affairs. Today, Nancy is that senior leader herself.

Te Tai Hauāuru region has five Te Puni Kōkiri offices in Nelson, Porirua, Taranaki, Taumarunui and Whanganui. For more information on the region go to: https://www.tpk.govt.nz/en/whakapa-mai/te-tai-hauauru

*The ‘Maori ACCESS’ (MACCESS) scheme was set up in 1987 after its promotion by the Maori employment caucus. It was to provide special employment and vocational training for the long-term unemployed and others disadvantaged by a drastically shrinking labour market. Source: http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz