KOE KOE Ā
FIVE MINUTES WITH...
Joe Hanita NGĀTI KOATA
Te Amonuku, our associate director and manager programme, is an important part of our succession planning for the future of Wakatū. Each year we bring on board new associate directors and managers for a two-year programme where they gain experience in the governance and management of Wakatū. Associate directors spend the first year on one of the Whenua, Kono, Auora or Manaaki boards, and the second year on the Wakatū Board. Previous associate directors include current board members Miriana Stephens, Johnny McGregor and Jeremy Banks, as well as Wakatū CEO Kerensa Johnston and Kono CEO Rachel Taulelei. We spent five minutes with Joe Hanita, our latest associate director, and asked him some quick-fire questions.
What is your connection to Wakatū?
Where else have you lived and worked?
My parents are John Hanita and Brigette Witinitara.
As my career has developed, I have also moved
I am the eldest of five boys, and I have two older
around the North Island. My first accounting role
whāngai sisters. My connection to Wakatū is
was based in Ōtorohanga. I then moved into the
through my dad, and his great-grandfather,
health and education sector, including a stint as
Hakaraia Hēmi. I was born in Masterton, Wairarapa.
director–finance for Te Wānanga o Aotearoa in
My dad was a pig and dairy farmer, and during
Te Awamutu. My role as Māori sector lead/associate
my childhood we moved around provincial North
director for KPMG took me to Tāmaki Makaurau.
Island because of his work. What qualifications do you have?' Where do you live now and what do you do?
I’ve got a Bachelor of Business from Wintec,
I live in Inglewood with my partner, James, and
Hamilton. I’m an internationally qualified
I commute to work in New Plymouth, under the
chartered accountant and a member of the
watchful presence of Taranaki Mounga. For the
Institute of Directors.
last two and half years, I have had the privilege of being the chief financial officer for Parininihi ki
What do you do outside of mahi?
Waitotara Incorporation (PKW). We have around
Three main things keep me busy:
10,000 shareholders. I oversee the PKW Group
Whānau, making sure we stay in contact, finding
financial affairs, as well as strategy and developing
time to create new memories, and reminding me to
and implementing our long-term outcomes. I also
stay grounded. Travel, experiencing new adventures,
have oversight across our various investments such
taking time to rest and reflect, and being in the
as forestry, horticulture, rural and commercial
moment. Governance roles, ensuring that I share
property, dairy and drystock farming, kōura, and
what I know with others, so we can all learn, grow
tourism. Similar to Wakatū, PKW is in growth
and prosper together.
mode, seeking out means to diversify and optimise
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our business portfolio, along with building key
Why did you apply to be an associate director?
relationships and partnerships. Our vision is He
My reasons for applying can be summed up in the
tangata, he whenua, he oranga: sustaining and
opening of my application for the role:
growing our people through prosperity.
Ko wai au? I am the legacy of my tūpuna.
