KOE KOE Ā
FIVE MINUTES WITH...
Rachael Kerr NGĀTI RĀRUA, TE ĀTIAWA, NGĀTI MUTUNGA
Who are you and where did you grow up? My dad’s family is from Wharekauri (Chatham Islands) and my mum is from Yorkshire in the United Kingdom – I connect to Wakatū through my dad, Brian Kerr, to Metapere Rahira. I grew up in Blenheim with my three younger sisters. We spent a lot of our childhood in the outdoors and enjoyed many summer holidays camping at Lake Rotoiti, and Anakiwa. One sister is now living in Melbourne, while the other two are in Wellington. PHOTOS: KATE MACPHERSON
Where do you live now? I’m based in Singapore, with my husband John and our two young boys, Charlie and Jack.
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Te Amonuku, our associate director and
What do you do there?
manager programme, is an important part
I’m the East Asia Regional Marketing and
of our succession planning for the future of
Communications Manager for Te Taurapa Tūhono –
Wakatū. Each year we bring on board new
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. In my role,
associate director and associate managers for
I support New Zealand export companies with their
a two-year programme to gain experience in
market entry and international growth strategies.
the governance and management of Wakatū.
I’m responsible for creating opportunities for New
They spend the first year on one of the Whenua,
Zealand companies to increase their brand visibility
Kono or Manaaki boards, and the second
in competitive international markets. My role also
year on the Wakatū Board. Previous associate
involves supplying these companies with market
directors include current board members
intelligence and consumer insights so they can hit
Jeremy Banks, Miriana Stephens and Hōne
the ground running when they start exporting. I’m
McGregor, as well as Wakatū CEO Kerensa
passionate about helping New Zealand companies
Johnston and Kono CEO Rachel Taulelei.
tell their unique stories to an offshore audience,
We spent five minutes with Rachael Kerr
and I’m incredibly lucky that I have an opportunity
(associate director 2019) and asked her some
to live overseas but maintain a deep connection with
quick-fire questions.
Aotearoa through my work.
