Waikato-Tainui part of initiative to inspire next generation

10 July, 2013

Waikato-Tainui part of initiative to inspire next generation of leaders

Waikato-Tainui Chief Executive Parekawhia McLean is visiting her former high school this week (SUBS JULY 11) as part of the Sir Peter Blake Trust’s Dream Team.

Ms McLean will be speaking with students from Hamilton’s Fraser High School in a bid to inspire New Zealand’s next generation of leaders. She is part of a 300-strong Dream Team of athletes, scientists, CEOs, politicians and community leaders who are speaking to classrooms throughout the country.

“The Sir Peter Blake Trust’s Dream Team is a great initiative that I am thrilled to be a part of and I’m looking forward to going back to my old high school and meeting with students,” says Ms McLean, who attended Hamilton’s Fraser High School in 1978-1982.

Ms McLean is now the chief executive of Waikato-Tainui – one of New Zealand’s largest iwi organisations with more than 64,000 members. Under her leadership the iwi organisation has grown its asset base from $170 million in 1995 to nearly $1 billion today.

“Like the Sir Peter Blake Trust, Waikato-Tainui is actively involved in a number of initiatives which aim to foster and encourage success among rangatahi (youth),” says Ms McLean. “We have a number of initiatives on the horizon, including a Rangatahi Summit in early 2014.”

The Rangatahi Summit, will provide Waikato-Tainui youth with leadership and development opportunities through mentoring and interactive workshops.

“Essentially, we want to assist rangatahi in realising their dreams and aspirations by helping them to build the stepping stones which are essential to success,” says Ms McLean.

The Sir Peter Blake Trust’s Dream Team is led by New Zealand’s Governor-General Lt Gen The Right Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae. A full list of Dream Team members can be found on the Sir Peter Blake Trust website.

ENDS

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