August 12, 2022
Ngāti Rangi appoints new Pou Ārahi
NGĀTI RANGI APPOINTS NEW POU ĀRAHI
Ngāti Rangi Chair, Whetu Moataane, has today announced the appointment of Helen Leahy as the new Pou Ārahi for Ngāti Rangi entities Ngā Waihua o Paerangi and Te Tōtarahoe o Paerangi. Helen comes to the role having spent the previous seven years as the Chief Executive of Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu, the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency for the South Island. Helen holds numerous national and ministerial appointments; including membership on the COVID-19 Māori Monitoring Group; the Energy Hardship expert panel; and the independent panel for Understanding Policing Delivery. Helen also brings with her 25 years of experience as a senior ministerial and policy advisor, including Chief of Staff and National Secretary for the Māori Party.
“As a Board we are confident that Helen will be able to lead Ngāti Rangi during the next phase of our journey. We are thankful for the strong foundation laid by our out-going Pou Ārahi, and are excited by the unique skillset Helen will bring to our iwi, our organisation, and our wider community, that will help elevate our approach for the next phase of the implementation of Rukutia te Mana, the Ngāti Rangi settlement.”
Helen’s passion for Whānau Ora will be a vital foundation in the drive to consolidate relationships across government through Te Kōpae; a collective framework to promote the economic and social wellbeing of Ngati Rangi.
“I am so impressed by the legacy of Ngāti Rangi leadership and love that has culminated in such a powerful vision for uri” said Ms Leahy. “I wanted to honour those who walked this journey before us; and all those today who inspire me in my greatest responsibility as a Māmā and a Nana of Ngāti Rangi uri”.
“The strategic aspiration of the iwi is kia mura ai te ora o Ngāti Rangi ki tua o te 1000 tau: that Ngāti Rangi continues to vibrantly exist in 1000 years. This is an audacious goal; one that will guide my thinking and influence my actions. I feel greatly privileged by the opportunity to serve whānau in this way”.
“Helen has an intimate knowledge of us as Ngāti Rangi and has been a stalwart supporter of our settlement journey” said Whetu Moataane. “Helen is the right person to lead and progress the growth and development of our organisation and Ngāti Rangi as a people as we strive to vibrantly exist in our majestic landscape.”
Helen and her whānau have recently returned home to the Ruapehu rohe. She will officially commence her role on the 25th of August, following a pōwhiri to be held at Maungārongo Marae in Ohakune.
ENDS