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Te Rūnanganui ō Ngāti Porou has appointed former Te Puni Kokiri number two Teepa Wawatai as its new chief executive officer.
The search for a CEO has been long and controversial, with one marae refusing to host Pā Wars when a shortlist was produced that included non-Māori candidates.
Mr Wawatai, who held senior posts with IBM Australasia before joining the Māori development ministry, is from Ngāti Porou.
He was project manager for the tribe’s treaty settlement negotiations, and has been chair of Ngāti Porou Hauora for the past 10 months and a director of Ngāti Porou Holding Company.
Allan Jensen, who has been acting chief executive, has gone back to his role as chief finance officer.
Rūnanga chair Apirana Mahuika says he is optimistic Mr Wawatai is the right person for the job at this stage in the tribe’s development.
Copyright © 2013, UMA Broadcasting Ltd
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