Ngā Kaikōrero
Guest Speakers
Tina Ngatai is a values‑driven governance leader focused on unlocking Māori land and asset potential for intergenerational wellbeing.
She holds an MBA with distinction from the University of Waikato and serves as Chairperson of Manaaki Ora Trust (Hauora) and Onuku Māori Lands Trust, and Deputy Chairperson of the Pukeroa Oruawhata Group.
Through her consultancy, Tinasupports Māori Trusts to strengthen governance and deliver sustainable, high‑impact development across health, whenua, and economic initiatives.
Te Taru serves as an elected member of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, contributing to the Risk and Assurance Committee and Komiti Māori.
With a wealth of governance experience spanning the private and public sectors, and expertise extending from scientific and applied research to indigenous socio-economic development, Te Taru has held roles as Trustee and Chairman of numerous land trusts and incorporations within Te Arawa.
He has also served as a Board member of the National Federation of Māori Authorities and is Deputy Chairman of the Te Arawa Federation of Māori Authorities.
Additionally, he chairs the Te Tatau o Te Arawa partnership with Rotorua Lakes Council and serves on the board of the Māori trade advocacy group, Te Taumata.
Malcolm Short (Ngāti Whakaue, Te Arawa) is a highly respected Rotorua-based leader with decades of experience in governance, Māori economic development, and whenua-based enterprise.
An original Trustee of Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust since its establishment in 1982, Malcolm has played a pivotal leadership role in its journey, serving as Chairman and helping to guide the development of what is now a $300 million commercial enterprise at the heart of Rotorua’s CBD.
He was part of the negotiating team that secured the return of the Rotorua Railway Land in 1993 — a significant milestone that enabled the development of Rotorua Central and the neighbouring Ngāti Whakaue Education Endowment Lands, which he also chairs.
Malcolm remains actively involved across a number of land trusts and organisations, contributing his experience and strategic insight to support long-term, intergenerational outcomes for whānau and iwi.
Named amongst the BBCs 100 most influential women in the world, Traci is an award-winning company director and a recognised industry leader. She is known as a trusted advisor to Maori, Government and industry on strategic and economic development. Traci’s skills and experience are openly endorsed by other notable public and private sector leaders, and she is recognised nationally and internationally as a credible Indigenous and business leader.
Known for her strong and inclusive leadership and her clear focus on building the wealth and prosperity of Aotearoa New Zealand, Traci has been described as a leader who listens, learns and helps other lead and grow and someone with the courage to lead by example. Her dedication to empowering others and driving positive change in industry and government has made her an inspiration for others and a valuable leader for Aotearoa and the world.
Traci is a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business and Maori, and a Justice of the Peace.
Vangelis Vitalis is New Zealand’s Deputy Secretary for Trade and Economic and serves as Chief Negotiator for the New Zealand–India Free Trade Agreement.
A highly experienced trade diplomat, he led negotiations for several landmark agreements, including the New Zealand–European Union Free Trade Agreement, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA, and Malaysia-New Zealand FTA, while contributing to the New Zealand–China FTA and P4 Agreement. Vangelis chaired APEC Senior Officials during New Zealand’s 2021 host year and CPTPP Senior Officials in 2023, overseeing the United Kingdom’s accession.
Previously, he served as New Zealand’s Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation, European Union, and NATO, and held postings in Canberra and Moscow. He has also contributed to OECD and World Economic Forum initiatives on trade, climate, and investment.
Outside diplomacy, Vangelis enjoys saltwater fishing, speaks multiple languages, and supports Wellington Phoenix FC.
Annette Sykes (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Mākino) is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading Māori lawyers, human rights advocates, and champions for constitutional transformation.
Admitted to the bar in 1985, she was the first wāhine Māori lawyer to appear as counsel before the Waitangi Tribunal for the landmark Te Reo Māori claim in 1986.
For more than four decades, Annette has specialised in indigenous rights, tikanga Māori, Treaty of Waitangi claims, and constitutional law, advocating for Māori communities across the country.
As Principal of Annette Sykes & Co., she has represented iwi, hapū, and whānau in significant legal matters spanning the Waitangi Tribunal, Māori Land Court, and higher courts.
A longstanding activist, Annette has been at the forefront of movements advancing tino rangatiratanga, te reo Māori, and social justice, while mentoring the next generation of Māori legal thinkers and advocates.
Dr Tanira Kingi is a highly respected agricultural economist, researcher, and governance leader with more than 30 years’ experience across Aotearoa New Zealand’s primary industries.
With expertise spanning agricultural systems, land economics, climate policy, and Māori agribusiness, Tanira has held senior research and advisory roles with institutions including Massey University, AgResearch, and Scion, where he is an Emeritus Scientist.
He currently serves as a Commissioner on the Climate Change Commission and provides strategic advice to government on land use, freshwater, and environmental policy. Tanira has worked extensively with Māori land authorities, iwi, and agribusiness entities to strengthen sustainable land development and intergenerational prosperity.
He also holds several governance positions, including Chair of Te Arawa Arataua (Te Arawa Primary Sector Collective), bringing deep expertise in Māori economic development, innovation, and whenua-based enterprise.
Cushla Tangaere-Manuel (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki) is a respected leader, broadcaster, and advocate for Māori development, currently serving as a Member of Parliament for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti with the NZ Labour Party.
Before entering Parliament, Cushla built an extensive career in Māori media, governance, and regional development, becoming widely recognised for her leadership across kaupapa Māori initiatives.
She previously served as Chief Executive of the Eastland Community Trust and held governance and advisory roles focused on economic development, social wellbeing, and Māori advancement. A passionate advocate for whānau, rangatahi, and community-led solutions, Cushla has worked to strengthen opportunities for Māori across education, employment, and regional growth.
With deep roots in Te Tairāwhiti, she brings a strong commitment to equitable outcomes, indigenous leadership, and the empowerment of future generations.
Cushla is widely respected for her ability to connect people, champion kaupapa Māori, and drive meaningful change for communities across Aotearoa.
Charles Russell is the CEO of Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective, leading a high-performing Māori agribusiness in Te Puke. With a lifelong connection to kiwifruit, he brings end-to-end industry experience across operations, logistics, and post-harvest, guiding partnerships grounded in tikanga and kaitiakitanga for iwi partners Ngāti Awa, Te Arawa, and Rotomā No.1.
Under his leadership, Mātai Pacific is a finalist in the 2026 Ahuwhenua Trophy for Excellence in Māori Horticulture and Bay of Plenty Regional Supreme Winner at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards, progressing to national finals later this year.
Charles is focused on strengthening Māori participation in horticulture and delivering long-term, sustainable prosperity.
He also holds an Executive MBA from the University of Waikato, is a NZ Institute of Directors Emerging Director (2023), and a Zespri Kellogg Rural Leadership Award recipient (2022).
Kapu & Cookie is a Māori-led gifting and cookie brand founded by Cassandra Campbell (Ngāti Pikiao, Te Arawa).
Based in Rotorua, Cassandra established Kapu & Cookie as a kaupapa Māori small business focused on connection, care, and meaningful gifting through personalised kapu (cups) and handcrafted cookie sets.
Drawing on her lived experience as a young māmā and her journey reconnecting with home after time in Australia, she built the business to reflect whānau, community, and simple moments of joy.
Kapu & Cookie has grown into a nationally recognised brand, offering curated gift boxes and collaborating with other Māori businesses to uplift local enterprise.
Through markets, online sales, and community engagement, Cassandra continues to grow the kaupapa while maintaining a strong focus on authenticity, whānau wellbeing, and gifting with purpose. Her work reflects a blend of entrepreneurship, creativity, and Māori values in practice.
Hayden is an experienced director with extensive governance expertise across the agricultural sector. He currently serves as Chair of Whangara Farms, Chair of Mangaotane Farm Trust, and Chair of Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Kāhui Māori Agribusiness.
Hayden brings deep knowledge of Māori agribusiness, land stewardship, and sustainable farming, with a strong focus on intergenerational outcomes for whenua and whānau.
His governance approach is grounded in balancing commercial performance with cultural values, ensuring long-term resilience and prosperity.
Hayden is highly regarded for his strategic insight, collaborative leadership style, and commitment to strengthening Māori participation and success within the primary industries sector.
Rerewha-i-te-rangi Pita’s connections to Te Āti Awa, Taranaki Whānui, Ngāti Wai and Ngāti Manawa have guided his work in fostering economic growth for Māori communities. Currently residing in Hamilton with his family, he is a passionate advocate for Māori economic development, fluent in Te Reo Māori, and well-versed in both the commercial world and Te Ao Māori.
With a Bachelor of Business Analysis from Waikato University, Rerewha has extensive experience working in public, private, and iwi sectors. He has served as an Economic Development Advisor for Waikato-Tainui, a Senior Iwi Engagement Advisor for the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, and now runs Anamata, a business dedicated to advancing Māori economic development. His work spans governance, strategy, and financial management, with a focus on asset optimisation, investment strategies, and stakeholder engagement.
Rerewha-i-te-rangi Pita holds several leadership positions, contributing to iwi prosperity and ensuring that today’s decisions create a thriving future for our tamariki. His strategic approach integrates Te Ao Māori values with practical economic initiatives, honouring the legacy of his grandfather Morris Te Whiti Love, his wider whānau and paving the way for future generations.
Ngā Kaiwhaktaki
2026 Forum Hosts
Russell Harrison is a Māori & Indigenous Leadership Scholar and Musician based in Aotearoa New Zealand, known for his ability to bridge community, culture, and economic development through both governance and performance.
He has worked across Māori economic development and community initiatives, with involvement in kaupapa connected to the Federation of Māori Authorities (FOMA), supporting collaboration across Māori enterprises, primary industries, and rangatahi development. His work focuses on strengthening Māori participation in economic systems while upholding whānau, hapū, and iwi aspirations.
Alongside his leadership roles, Russell is also recognised as an entertainer, bringing energy, humour, and connection to events across Aotearoa. He is valued for his ability to engage audiences in both formal and cultural settings, helping to create meaningful and memorable experiences.
Maramena Roderick is a highly respected Aotearoa New Zealand journalist, broadcaster, and media executive with extensive experience across news, current affairs, and documentary production.
She has held senior leadership roles including Head of News and Current Affairs and later Director of Content at Whakaata Māori (Māori Television), where she led award-winning newsroom and programming teams.
Her career spans work as a reporter for the New Zealand Herald and TVNZ, including international correspondence in Europe and contributions to investigative and current affairs journalism.
Roderick is also an accomplished producer and director, with credits on acclaimed documentary and factual series that centre Māori stories, language, and culture.
She is widely recognised for her leadership in strengthening Māori media, developing emerging talent, and advancing kaupapa Māori storytelling in Aotearoa’s broadcasting landscape.