Maori Spectrum Trust brings on heavy hitters

Maori Spectrum Trust brings on heavy hitters

Te Huarahi Tika Trust has appointed a group of new trustees to its Board this month Sir Harawira Gardiner, Riria (Missy) Te Kanawa, George Reedy who will join current trustees Toa Greening, Mereana Selby, Karaitiana Taiuru an chair Daphne Luke. THTT also appointed and two new directors to its commercial company Hautaki: Toa Greening and an independent Steve Murray.

Te Huarahi Tika Trust was incorporated as a charitable trust in 2000 to enable Māori a right of purchase over the third generation spectrum (3G) radio frequency being auctioned by the Crown that year.

As part of the establishment of the Te Huarahi Tika, the Crown provided preferential rights to radio frequency spectrum with a $5 million cash contribution. Subsequently, the Hautaki Trust was formed as the entity which used the funds to secure international investment of over $350M for the establishment of our third mobile network, 2 Degrees Mobile. As well as its own shares in the Company, Hautaki holds in trust shares held by both the Tūaropaki Trust and Wairarapa Moana Inc.

The Hautaki Board have appointed Steve Murray and Mavis Mullins as their two representatives on the 2Degrees Board for the next three years.

Te Huarahi Tika Trust Chairperson, Daphne Luke says that following the retirement of its $14M borrowings earlier this year; “the Trust is in a different place, we’ve not been here before – it’s very exciting”. She believes that these new inductees “will bring a mixture of solid leadership, sound financial, investment and international business experience along with a new energy and added creativity to our activities”.

Trustee and Director biographies.

Sir Harawira Gardiner (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Pikiao, Whakatohea, Te Whānau a Apanui). A Māori entrepreneur and writer, is the first of three new trustees to join the Trust. Sir Wira’s public service career spanned 12 years during which time he was founding director of the Waitangi Tribunal, the founding (and only) General Manager of the Iwi Transition Agency and the founding chief executive of Te Puni Kokiri. He has also been National Director of Civil Defence, Chair of Te Mangai Paho, and deputy chairman of Te Ohu Kaimoana, He has chaired the Tertiary Education Commission and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Sir Wira is a member Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi Council.

“Riria (Missy) Te Kanawa (Ngati Maniapoto, Tainui, Ngati Porou, Ngāti Koata). A chartered accountant with significant experience as a business advisor and governor. She is a strategic thinker who likes to operate at the intersection of business and social advancement. With the technology industry being one of New Zealand’s fastest growing sectors and third largest export earner, she has a keen interest in the active engagement of Maori in the sector. Missy was selected to attend the Te Hono Bootcamp programme at Stanford University which has led to her interest in the application of design thinking as a catalyst for Maori business and social innovation. She is a dynamic addition to the Board”.

George Reedy (Ngāti Porou). George has a background in business, Non-Government Organisations and the public sector. A Chartered Accountant (with an MBA) his main interests have been in strategy and business development especially in on-line digital environments. George is passionate about businesses in the Telco and IT sectors from start-ups to large enterprises. George is currently the CEO for Te Tai Whenua o Heretaunga, the health arm of Ngāti Kahungunu. Te Huarahi Tika Board has appointed George to its asset holding trust, Hautaki.

Steve Murray (Ngati Kuri, Ngapuhi and Tainui) Steve Murray joined Tūaropaki Trust as CEO in 2011. Steve has a broad range of leadership expertise gained from time as a Partner in IBM’s Global Business Consulting, Managing Director of EDS New Zealand and as CEO of Tainui Group Holdings. Steve has also worked overseas where he has gained business experience in IT, communications, energy, banking and financing, merger and acquisitions and supply chain.

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