July 08, 2013
Marine scientist gets top iwi job
Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated has appointed its fisheries and environment manager, Adele Whyte, as interim chief executive.
Iwi chair Ngahiwi Tomoana says Dr Whyte has been filling in the role since the previous incumbent Meka Whaitiri took leave to mount her ultimately successful campaign to become MP for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti.
She is the fourth woman to hold the chief executive’s role.
Dr Whyte, from Ngāti Hawea hapū, started working for the iwi as a technical adviser on its Kahungunu ki Uta, Kahungunu ki Tai marine and freshwater fisheries strategy, while she was working as a lecturer and researcher in Victoria University’s School of Biological Sciences.
She joined the rūnanga staff three years ago.
Mr Tomoana says Ngāti Kahungunu is delighted by Ms Whaitiri’s election, and sees it as a win for women, youth and families.
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