New Parininihi Ki Waitōtara Chief Executive Announced

New Parininihi Ki Waitōtara Chief Executive Announced

Monday August 8th, 2016 for immediate release

Tuia te rangi i runga nei, tuia te papa e takoto nei, ka rongo te motu te ao i te kōrero, puata i te mārama ahunuku, te mārama ahurangi, te mārama ka takoto i te aio, tuia te rangi, tokona te rangi, te maungarongo ki te whai ao ki te ao mārama, tuia ratou kua wehe atu ki te pō uriuri, he maimai aroha, he aroha...hurihia ki te whai ao, ki te ao mārama....

Kei aku whanaunga o te motu nei, tēnā koutou. Tēnā koutou i runga i ngā tini āhuatang o te wā. E tukuna ana tēnei pānui i runga i te ngākau hihiko ki ngā whakataunga o te poari mō tō tātou Kaiwhakahaere hou, māna tātou e arataki ki ngā huarahi kei mua i te aroaro. E huarahi tēnei e anga whakamua ai tatou, ōna piki, ōna heke, e ora ai ngā whenua o tō tātou maunga Taranaki...nei anō rā te mihi, tēnā katoa mai rā tātou.

Warwick Tauwhare-George (MBA, BCA, NZDSM, NZCQS) has been appointed chief executive of Parininihi Ki Waitōtara (PKW).

PKW chairperson Hinerangi Raumati said that while the incorporation’s employment committee were impressed by the very high number and caliber of candidates who applied for the CE role, one candidate shone above all others.

“Warwick brings an impressive range of skills and experience nationally and internationally to the role from across a range of sectors including agriculture and forestry, construction, infrastructure, property consultancy, asset management, engineering, energy efficiency, industrial services, manufacturing, tourism, health and fitness, and hospitality.”

Warwick is currently CEO of Engie NZ, a national provider of tailored HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) solutions to commercial and industrial businesses in New Zealand. He is an associate director for Ngāi Tahu Farming, executive director of Engie Services NZ, and a director of Cofely NZ Investments Ltd.

Warwick, who is of Ngāi Tahu – hapū Ngāti Waewae, Ngāti Wheke and Waikato-Tainui descent, grew up in Hawera and has strong personal and whānau connections to the Taranaki region.

Parininihi Ki Waitōtara is the largest milk supplier to Fonterra in Taranaki and owns 20,000 hectares of some of the most productive dairy land in the world. It has a range of business interests across dairy farming, crayfish, forestry and commercial property.

Ms Raumati said the incorporation with its strong dairy platform had been impacted significantly by a persistently low milk price, which had reduced profit and the dividend paid to shareholders.

“We are here to protect, manage, invest and grow our shareholders’ assets for future generations. It is the view of the board that we require a broader range of skills in our CE which incorporates a thorough understanding of the dairy sector and our other business interests, but who also can provide more complex and in-depth business and commercial acumen and experience to ensure we have the capability to consider new opportunities that complement our business and value for our shareholders if and when they are available.”

Mr Tauwhare-George said he was impressed by the performance of PKW in recent years and he was drawn by the opportunity to play a part in one of the most significant Maori operation’s in Aotearoa.

“PKW is a business that has made significant gains in recent years, and I believe there is strong potential to continue this momentum moving forward.”

He said he was also drawn to the role by the opportunity to return to the home of his youth and to be close to whanau and friends in the region.

“I have had a strong and varied career here and internationally and I am humbled and excited by the opportunity to bring these experiences and skills back to the people of Taranaki, while continuing to enhance my knowledge of tikanga and te reo Māori as well as my passion to be a positive and active kaitiaki for the sustainable future of this and future generations.

“I am very motivated by the opportunity to add to the growth and prosperity of Taranaki Māori and the hapori whānui. I am seeking a senior executive role that will allow me to utilise the vast experience and ability I have gained so far in my working career, plus assist me in my ambition to be kaitiaki for our future generations.”

Warwick will officially join the PKW team on Monday October 3rd, with details for his pōwhiri to be confirmed and announced in the coming weeks.

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