Matthew Tukaki to Chair Ngā Ngaru RAUTAHI O AOTEAROA NATIONAL MAORI AUTHORITY
Image: Matthew Tukaki, incoming Executive Chairman of Ngā Ngaru Rautahi O Aotearoa
The National Māori Authority, Ngā Ngaru Rautahi O Aotearoa has announced the appointment of Matthew Tukaki as Executive Chairman of the Board of trustees. Mr. Tukaki is of Ngai Te Rangi descent and has strong tribal affiliations to Matakana Island and the Bay of Plenty Region (including Te Kaha). Mr. Tukaki comes with a significant amount of experience at both the national and international level and is currently the Chairman of NewsNow (EntreHub), Australia’s peak mental health body, Suicide Prevention Australia and the Sustain Group.
Mr. Tukaki is previously the Chairman of Deakin University CSaRO and SansGov as well as being a former non-executive Director of the Boards of the Australian Indigenous Chamber of Commerce, the United Nations Global Compact Australia and was appointed to the governing Board of the United Nations Global Compact by former Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki Moon, in 2013. As an executive Mr Tukaki is the former CEO of Drake International, one of the world’s oldest and largest employment companies.
Mr. Tukaki has been working alongside the Board of Ngangaru for the last two years assisting with strategic development, program development, membership engagement and establishing new beach heads for Māori economic and social development.
“I look forward to working with our Iwi and all Māori, wherever they may be, to push forward when it comes to social, culture and economic independence. I believe, and have believed for a very long time, that we must invest more when it comes to capacity building – of empowering Māori communities, people and organisations to be all they can be.” Mr Tukaki said
"I am very proud to Maori, very proud of where I come from and my people. If I can give but a small thing back I will. if it is one thing being from Matakana Island has taught me its to stand up in what you believe in and where you come from - whanau must always be our focus - it just so happens we are one big whanau with a lot of opportunities and challenges ahead." Mr Tukaki said.
Mr Tukaki will be based in Auckland.
Mr Tukaki will be meeting with Government and Iwi leaders over the next month to outline key work programs and focus areas including programs on:
Suicide Prevention and mental health
Employment and economic development
Correctional and justice / law reform
Social development policy
Community capacity building
Supporting the Māori Diaspora