Championing Innovation In Māori Economic Development: Jacob (Hākopa) Ashdown Named 2025 Harkness Fellow

The Harkness Fellowships Trust (NZ) is proud to announce the selection of Hākopa Ashdown as the 2025 New Zealand Harkness Fellow.

Hākopa Ashdown, (Te Aupōuri, Ngai Takoto, Ngāti Kahu), currently Private Secretary to the Minister for Māori Development at Te Puni Kōkiri, will undertake a prestigious research residency at the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, Harvard Kennedy School, later this year.

The Harkness Fellowships, administered in partnership with the Leadership Development Centre at Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission, are among New Zealand’s most esteemed international awards for public sector leaders, supporting high-potential individuals to study or research in the United States for three to six months. The value of this year’s fellowship is $60,000.

The Fellowships aim to foster leadership, innovation, and the exchange of ideas between New Zealand and the US, empowering Fellows to address pressing challenges and drive positive change upon their return.

Ashdown’s project, Lessons Learned from the United States - Indigenous Economic Growth and Development in Underserved Communities, will examine successful US policies and initiatives that have accelerated economic growth for indigenous and economically disadvantaged communities.

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His research seeks to understand how Special Economic Zones have attracted private capital into low-income communities designated as ’Opportunity Zones’, and how communities have established their own Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to address access to capital issues. Through the Fellowship, he will generate practical recommendations for New Zealand policymakers and iwi to improve economic growth.

“Hākopa Ashdown exemplifies the spirit of the Harkness Fellowship: a commitment to public service, a drive for innovation, and a vision for a more equitable and prosperous New Zealand,” says Aphra Green, Chair of the Harkness Fellowships Trust.

“His project promises to deliver real impact for Māori and for all New Zealanders, and we are delighted to support his journey.”

Dave Samuels, Secretary for Māori Development, Te Puni Kōkiri, added:

“We are very proud of Hākopa and delighted with his selection as the 2025 New Zealand Harkness Fellow. Hākopa joins a prestigious line of Māori leaders who have been awarded the Fellowship, including Kara Puketapu, Whaimutu Dewes, Pauline Kingi, Hon Shane Jones, Hon Dr Shane Reti, Doug Jones, Peter Douglas, Anake Goodall, and Chief Judge Dr Caren Fox.

“We wish him well for his time at Harvard and look forward to following his work on community-led solutions and economic growth.”

Ashdown brings a distinguished record of leadership and service to the Fellowship. With nearly two decades of experience spanning roles in government, iwi, and community organisations, he has contributed to cross-agency initiatives such as Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga and the National Direction on Papakāinga, and holds a Master of Science in Psychology (First Class). He is also an active participant in iwi governance and a recipient of multiple leadership awards.

Reflecting on his selection, Ashdown said:

“I am honoured to be named the 2025 Harkness Fellow. This is a unique opportunity to learn from leading thinkers and practitioners at Harvard and across the US, and to bring back innovative ideas that can help accelerate economic growth and support community-led development. My goal is to forge new partnerships, share practical solutions, and inspire collaboration between government, iwi, and communities in Aotearoa.”

Ashdown’s research will include case studies, stakeholder engagement, and community visits in the US, culminating in a policy brief and a series of dissemination hui for New Zealand audiences. He will also participate in executive leadership programmes offered by Harvard.

The Harkness Fellowships Trust congratulates Hākopa Ashdown and looks forward to the insights and connections he will bring back to New Zealand.

About the Harkness Fellowships Trust

The New Zealand Harkness Fellowships Trust Board established the New Zealand Harkness Fellowships in 2009 to reinforce links between New Zealand and the US and to enable executive leaders in the Public Sector to benefit from study and travel in the US.

The Fellowships offer emerging leaders in the public sector the opportunity to spend 3-6 months undertaking research in the United States. The fellowships enable successful candidates to gain first-hand knowledge and build contacts in their chosen field of endeavour that will be highly relevant to the NZ context and future NZ/US links.

The Trust Board works to administer the fellowships in partnership with the Leadership Development Centre, which is acting on behalf of Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission. The current fellowships continue a Harkness fellowship programme that stretches back over sixty years.

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