Henare praises Sir Brian Roche appointment

Claudette Hauiti Peeni Henare | Henare praises Sir Brian Roache appointment

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Former Labour Minister for Defence, Peeni Henare, says the appointment of Sir Brian Roche as Public Services Commissioner is an inspiring choice.

In 2021, the Labour Government appointed Sir Brian as the Establishment Chair of the $150 million Ngāpuhi Investment Fund, Tupu Tonu.

Henare says given the Government’s anti-Māori agenda, Roache is a strong advocate for Māori.

“We’ve got a champion who, in my experience, in the past, has been a strong champion for Māori causes. That’s why we appointed him to the Ngāpuhi sovereign fund. That’s why I engaged with him on a number of issues with defense, he is strong, pragmatic and well-connected,” says Henare.

Sir Brian was the Crown negotiator for the first two Treaty settlements: Tainui-Waikato in 1995 and Ngāi Tahu in 1997.

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