A new year has dawned. Many of us are just returning to work, others may still be enjoying the summer weather and kai of the season, but regardless of time and place I can guarantee we have all turned our thoughts to the year that has passed, and the year that lies before us.

This is a time of transition. For Te Puni Kōkiri, this transition has been marked by the welcoming of Michelle Hippolite, the new Chief Executive, and the departure of Leith Comer, a man who led this organisation with great consistency for the last twelve years.

In the last four years I have enjoyed working closely with Leith on projects such as the Rugby World Cup 2011, where Te Puni Kōkiri played a key role in positioning Māori culture to take centre stage in this significant world event; developing the Independent Māori Statutory Board model which is currently used as a vehicle for Māori local government representation in Auckland; and the establishment of a range of projects that have put in place key support systems for whānau such as Oranga Whānau, Kaitoko Whānau and Māra Kai. Of course, with the guidance and support of Hon Tariana Turia, Leith also led the organisational change that was needed to provide support for Whānau Ora.

One of my personal highlights over the last year was the launch of the Māori Economic Strategy – He Kai Kei Aku Ringa, which was the culmination of four years work towards building recognition and support for the contribution that Māori business make to the New Zealand economy.

The work that we have done in the economic space has taken us on some amazing journeys. One such journey was to China and back, where we discovered the strength and edge that our Māori culture brings to business. This is the Māori Edge that has resulted in building a number of strong relationships between Māori and Chinese. The effects of this relationship will be long lasting, and this year I am looking forward to further enhancing these ties.

I would like to take the time to personally thank Leith for the contribution he has made to Te Puni Kōkiri, and to Māori development in general. He was at the helm of this organisation through some key moments in history, and it is with our best wishes, and warm thoughts that he now moves on to the new journeys that lie ahead.

I also extend a warm welcome to Michelle, who takes up the mantle of Chief Executive at this key point in time. Michelle brings with her many years of experience working in both the public and private sector. She brings new energy, and will no doubt recast the vision for the organisation as we move into the future. I have confidence that the year ahead will bring forward a number of new opportunities and areas for development that have not yet been explored. I am also confident that the good work that has been on going across treaty issues, reo and culture, economy, and wellbeing will continue into the future.

Ngā mihi o te tau hou ki a koutou katoa.

Hon Dr Pita R Sharples,
Minister of Māori Affairs