Top Business Leaders to Address Maori Accountants’ Network

MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday July 18 2012
Top Business Leaders to Address Maori Accountants’ Network Conference

Nga Kaitatau Maori o Aotearoa – the National Maori Accountants' Network – is pleased to announce that a top line-up of influential business leaders will speak at this year’s national conference.

The annual event, complete with panel discussions, technical breakout sessions with industry experts and exciting networking opportunities, will take place on August 3 - 4 at the Novotel Ellerslie.

Keynote speakers include business heavyweights Sir Ralph Norris, Neville Jordan and Sir John Goulter, along with the Minister of Maori Affairs and Maori Party co-leader Dr Pita Sharples. They will present a range of topics surrounding the theme ‘wealth creation through innovation and leadership’.

Nga Kaitatau Maori o Aotearoa chairman Joe Hanita says the presenters bring a vast amount of experience, insight and knowledge to the conference, which is aimed at boosting New Zealand and Maori business.

“Wealth innovation is a topic that will interest not only accountants, but also Maori entrepreneurs and iwi leaders, as well as business people generally.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have such high calibre business leaders address the conference this year,” Mr Hanita says.
• Sir Ralph Norris, who retired as chief executive from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia in late 2011, will discuss how effective leadership influences change and innovation and whether any key personality traits
are needed to achieve this.

• Neville Jordan, executive chairman of Endeavour Capital, will talk about how Maori entrepreneurs can become more involved in hot spots for the future and what Maori collectives need to do to be part of the action.

• Nga Puhi Asset Company chairman Sir John Goulter will share innovations he has used in his leadership career. He will also outline mainstream leadership concepts he used in Maori organisations – and what Maori leadership concepts could be used in a mainstream business.

• Minister of Maori Affairs and Maori Party co-leader Dr Pita Sharples will look at key opportunities and challenges to increase innovation within the Maori community.

Other speakers include Dean Witehira, from Rotorua-based Timberlands Ltd, who will discuss forest investment and innovation for Maori, with a focus on China’s demand for wood. Grant Hawke, who chairs the Ngati Whatua o Orakei Maori Trust Board, will talk about overcoming adversity and building for the future in the context of Ngati Whatua’s journey.

Nga Kaitatau Maori o Aotearoa – the National Maori Accountants' Network – was established in 2004 and has a growing membership of about 300.

Mr Hanita says the conference is a great place for members to network – and with Maori Television presenter Matai Smith as MC, it promises to be a bit of fun, too.

The Auckland Secondary Schools kapa haka champions – Nga Puna o Waiorea from Western Springs College will perform at the conference dinner on August 4.

Visit www.nkmoa.co.nz for all registration details
ENDS

National Maori Accountants' Network

The National Maori Accountants' Network was established in 2004 with the aim of helping Maori excel in commerce and to contribute to the successful economic development of Maori.

It is estimated that fewer than two per cent of the country’s 36,000 members of the institute of Chartered Accountants are Maori.

The current chairman is Joe Hanita (Ngati Kahungunu, Ngati Kuia and Rangitane), group accountant at Te Wananga o Aotearoa in Te Awamutu.

The National Maori Accountants’ Network is supported by major accounting firms BDO, KPMG, Ernst and Young, PWC and Deloitte.

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