Organisational structure

Office of the Secretary 

The Office of the Secretary supports the Secretary for Māori Development and the Executive Leadership Team, and is responsible for the overall cultural competency and well-being of the organisation.

The Secretary for Māori Development is Dave Samuels.

Policy Partnerships

Policy Partnerships works with Government agencies and Te Puni Kōkiri stakeholders, to develop and advise on policy issues and solutions for Māori wellbeing and development.

Working together with the other puni, Policy Partnerships leads, influences and support policy thinking at multiple levels – from system-level strategic policy and frameworks, to specific, bounded policy initiatives and proposals.  

The Deputy Secretary, Policy Partnerships is Geoff Short.

Strategy, Finance & Performance

The Strategy, Finance & Performance puni provides strategic direction and monitors organisational performance and effectiveness internally and externally. It provides financial management, strategy, planning and performance advice, procurement, and statutory entity monitoring including nominations and appointments.

The Deputy Secretary also has co-leadership, in partnership with Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga (Ministry of Housing and Urban Development) of the Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga initiative which is working to create a system for Māori housing that works across agencies. The $730M Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga Māori Housing programme from Budget 2021 is intended to deliver 1000 iwi and Māori led houses including 200-250 papakāinga.

The Deputy Secretary, Strategy, Finance, and Performance is Grace Smit.

Regional Partnerships and Operations

Regional Partnerships and Operations manage and advise on investment priorities and performance and support engagement with, and delivery of services to iwi, hapū and whānau. 

Programmes and operations managed by this puni include: Whenua, Māori wardens, Whānau Ora, Paiheretia, Marae Ora and Māori Enterprise.

Te Puni Kōkiri has a network of offices across six regions. These offices provide regional strategy advice and implementation; iwi, hapū and whānau engagement; brokering and facilitation services; funding support and delivery; investment portfolio advice and planning; and, fund management and administration.

The Deputy Secretary of the Regional Partnerships and Operations is Paula Rawiri.

Organisational Support

Organisational Support develops and manages the core capabilities of Te Puni Kōkiri. The puni provides corporate services including:

  • Communication, Engagement & Events Directorate
  • People & Capability Directorate
  • Technology & Systems Directorate
  • Property & Facilities
  • Knowledge Systems
  • Legal Services

The Acting Deputy Secretary, Organisational Support is Tamati Olsen.

Critical Projects and Governance

The Critical Projects and Governance Puni manages projects of critical importance to Ministers and the Secretary for Māori Development, and focuses on quality decision making and connections between decision makers, incorporating our internal governance, ministerial services, and risk, assurance and internal audit. 

The Deputy Secretary, Critical Projects & Governance is Steven Sutton..

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