Māori Trustee establishes high level Advisory Board

Published 10th Nov 2011
New Māori Trustee Jamie Tuuta has established a high level Advisory Board to add expertise in governance and relevant industry areas to the organisation’s operation.

“The members of the Advisory Board bring a huge range of experience in areas from finance to farming to climate change,” says Jamie.  “They will make a great contribution to our aim of supporting Māori land owners realise their hopes and ambitions for their land.

“The Board will sit alongside me and offer governance, guidance and advice to me and the whole Māori Trustee team – and I’m sure there will be times they test us as well,” says Jamie.

“I am greatly looking forward to working with the Board members and having their support for our important role of building and protecting Māori assets.”

The Māori Trustee Advisory Board members are:

Keith Sutton - Keith is a Director of Sutton McCarthy Limited, which provides strategic, financial, and treasury advice to corporate entities, SOEs, multinationals and other clients.   He has extensive governance experience and networks.  He is the Chairman of Taranaki Investment Management Limited, a director of Aotearoa Fisheries Limited, Wool Partners International Limited, Gough, Gough and Hamer Limited, Wellington International Airport Limited and a number of other companies. Keith is a former chairman of the New Zealand Futures and Options Exchange Limited, Executive Director of DFC New Zealand Limited and former member of the National Provident Fund Board. Keith has farming and forestry interests in both the North and South Islands. Keith is also a member of the Institute of Directors and the Institute of Finance Professionals. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration degree in economics and accounting.

Roger Pikia – Roger is the Chief Executive Officer of Te Arawa Group Holdings Limited and has a strong background in the primary sector with over 20 years experience as a dairy farmer and advisor.  Roger has successfully transitioned from the cowshed to the corporate world and has held the position of National Māori Strategist and Māori Agribusiness Manager with AgResearch. He has operated his own consultancy providing strategic and technical advice to a range of clients that included Māori trusts, incorporations and industry providers.  He has also advised the Government on the Emissions Trading Scheme and has represented New Zealand at the United Nations Climate Change Forum across Europe. Roger has personal interests in dairy, and sheep and beef farms and serves as a chairman and trustee of Māori land trusts with interests in geothermal and agribusiness.  He is also a member of the Māori Economic Development Panel tasked with developing a Māori economic development strategy and action plan.

Mark Tume – Mark is a professional director and has held a variety of senior roles within the finance sector, in areas such as investment banking, capital markets, asset and liability management, and risk control. Mark holds a number of directorships with listed and unlisted companies, including KiwiRail, the New Zealand Refining Company Limited, and Infratil Limited. He is also a member of the Growth and Innovation Advisory Board and a member of the board of the Guardians of The New Zealand Superannuation Fund.  Mark is a former director of Transpower New Zealand Limited and Ngai Tahu Group Holdings.  He holds a Bachelor of Business Studies and a Diploma in Banking Studies (Treasury Management) from Massey University.

Wally Stone - Wally is a successful businessman who was instrumental in establishing the award winning Whale Watch Kaikoura Limited.   He has established a sound reputation as a professional business leader, demonstrating a high level of performance in the areas of corporate governance, strategic planning, tactical implementation and innovation. What makes Wally unique is his understanding of private, public, iwi, and community sectors. He is an advisory group member of  New Zealand 2011, a board member of the Lottery Commission, Chairman of the Māori Economic Taskforce, Primary Sector Working Group, a trustee of Asia New Zealand Foundation, chairman of Whale Watch Kaikoura Ltd and a director of Te Arawa Group Holdings.  Wally was formerly Chairman of New Zealand Tourism and Chairman of Ngai Tahu Group Holdings.  Wally was invited to become a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management (FNZIM) in 2003 and the following year was honoured with an ONZM - Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.