4 minute read
Te Poari o Wakatū
The Board with Wakatū CEO Kerensa Johnston
Photos: Kate MacPherson
Wakatū Incorporation is governed by the Committee of Management of Wakatū, which is known as the Wakatū Board.
Appointment on the board is for a term of three years and is made via an election process by the Owners (shareholders) of Wakatū at the annual general meeting held in Whakatū. Terms are staggered so that only some directors’ terms expire each year, and directors may stand for re-election. This rotation allows for continuity and stability while enabling the election of new board members.
The skills and experience of the directors mean there is oversight of the activities of the incorporation and its associated and subsidiary businesses, Whenua and Kono NZ LP.
The board’s focus is long-term, ensuring Wakatū meets the objectives in our intergenerational plan, Te Pae Tawhiti. The board also has an important strategic role in setting the direction for Wakatū and ensuring risks are well managed by the management team.
Paul Morgan
Looking forward to the next 40 years, it is part of the board’s responsibility to put in place long-term strategies such as Whenua Ora, our land and water wellness programme and Tangata Ora, our people wellbeing programme.
At its heart, the role of the Wakatū Board is to fulfil the ambitions of our tūpuna, to ensure that our taonga are protected and continue to grow, while meeting the aspirations of current and future generations.
Miriana Stephens
Jeremy Banks
Barney Thomas
James Wheeler
Hōne McGregor
The current Wakatū Board is: Paul Morgan (Chair), James Wheeler (Deputy Chair), Rore Stafford, Barney Thomas, Miriana Stephens, Hōne McGregor and Jeremy Banks.
Paul Morgan says, ‘Directors have to be prepared to work very hard and constantly absorb and consolidate a lot of new information – especially in a changing world where technology, science and politics move rapidly. There are risks to being a director which people need to be very aware of but there is also a great deal of satisfaction in seeing our businesses thrive in our region and new initiatives being put in place to help support and develop our whānau further.’
In 2019, the work of the Wakatū Board is focused on Te Tauihu 2077, the development of a collaborative and cohesive strategy for our region.
Rore Stafford
Each year at the AGM in Whakatū, and a special general meeting in Wellington, the board gives an update on the past year and an overview of future plans. These hui mean whānau can get a better understanding of what’s going on and have input into the future direction of Wakatū. There are opportunities to ask questions from the floor, as well as to meet and talk with the board members over a cup of tea or kai at the break.
The board also considers the future governance and management of Wakatū. Equipping Wakatū whānau so they have skills, confidence and experience to be involved in managing and governing the organisation and our businesses is an important focus.
As part of its succession planning, the Wakatū Board oversees Te Amonuku, our associate director and manager programme.Other programmes to ensure that Wakatū whānau are well equipped for their own future and the future of Wakatū are our academic scholarships and Te Hunga Panuku, our network of people who have taken part in Wakatū programmes.
Left to right: Bob Shore (Independent Director), Waari Ward-Holmes (Independent Director), Jeremy Banks, Hōne McGregor, Rore Stafford, Paul Morgan, Andrew Bishop (Associate Director), Miriana Stephens, Rachel Kerr (Associate Director), Kerenesa Johnston (Wakatū CEO), James Wheeler.
