Hon Te Ururoa Flavell

Te Minita
Whanaketanga Māori

Minister for Māori Development

Media Statement
7 April 2017

New Appointments support Māori Economic Development

Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell has welcomed the appointment of Robin Hapi as chairman of the Māori Economic Development Advisory Board (MEDAB).

Mr Hapi is joined by four new members Harry Burkhardt, Shay Wright, Awerangi Tamihere and Steve Saunders who will join the four current members Hilton Collier, Debbie Ngārewa-Packer, Pania Tyson-Nathan and Professor Linda Smith to make up MEDAB.

“Mr Hapi (Ngāti Kahungunu) has extensive experience in the fisheries industry and corporate governance. He is the Chairman of Te Wānanga o Raukawa, a board member of Callaghan Innovation, Te Mātāwai and Te Pou Matakana. Mr Hapi is also a member of the Serco Asia Pacific Advisory Committee.

In 2016, he was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori, community and governance. His knowledge and experience will be of great benefit to MEDAB,” Mr Flavell says.

“The MEDAB provides stewardship, monitoring and evaluation for He kai kei aku ringa (the Crown-Māori Economic Growth Partnership). It also provides Ministers and government agencies with advice about opportunities for Māori economic development and engagement with Māori stakeholders.”

Mr Flavell says the four new members’ life skills bring a wealth of knowledge to the Board.

“Mr Burkhardt is the chair of Ngāti Kurī Trust Inc. and Te Puia (New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute). He was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2015, for services to Māori.

“Mr Wright is the co-founder of Te Whare Hukahuka and is on the Māori Advisory Board for Te Kāhui Māori, the National Science Challenge for Technological Innovation. He is a Board of Trustee member for Teach First NZ,” Mr Flavell says.

“Mrs Tamihere is the Director of Social Impact and Innovations at Te Whānau o Waipareira Trust. Her career spans public and private sector roles with a focus on urban indigenous communities.

“Mr Saunders is Managing Director of Plus Group of companies and the co-founder of Newnham Park Horticulture Centre at Te Puna. He is a board member of Enterprise Angels Tauranga, Landcare Research and Executive Board for Priority One (Bay of Plenty). He is also a member of the FOMA Horticulture Advisory Group.”

Mr Flavell wishes to thank Ngāhiwi Tomoana for his role as the inaugural chairman of the MEDAB and his contribution in leading the first wave of He kai kei aku ringa.

“Mr Tomoana’s appointment was completed in February 2017 and he leaves behind a strong foundation for the next generation of Māori economic development.”

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