TGH Award an Inspiration for Tribal Members

TGH Award an Inspiration for Tribal Members

An award for outstanding business leadership is not only positive recognition for a job well done; it is also valuable inspiration for future generations of Waikato-Tainui leaders.

Rahui Papa, chairman of the tribe’s executive committee Te Arataura, has congratulated the Board, management and staff of Tainui Group Holdings (TGH) following its recognition at the Aotearoa NZ Maaori Business Leaders Awards 2015 for Outstanding Maaori Business Leadership. In particular he acknowledged the contributions of former chairman John Spencer and former chief executive Mike Pohio.

Mr Papa said the award was a proud moment for Waikato-Tainui and hoped it would motivate and inspire current and future Maaori business leaders.

“Prior to the Raupatu in 1863 the people of Waikato-Tainui were active and successful business entrepreneurs, producing agricultural goods for markets both here in Aotearoa and in Australia. That was lost when the land confiscations occurred,” said Mr Papa.

“Since settling our Raupatu claim 20 years ago we’ve taken the opportunity to rebuild and reinvest in commercial enterprise. Over the last decade in particular TGH has successfully leveraged tribal resources to increase assets by more than $500M. The team has done a remarkable job.”

Mr Papa said that Waikato-Tainui recognized business as a key area of opportunity for tribal members and had begun offering business development seminars. It was also investigating the potential to develop a business hub providing support to businesses with the strong potential for success.

“The asset base of the Maaori economy is valued at more than $36B. Entrepreneurship is an area of strength for Maaori and we want to encourage and support our people to be successful. We hope this award will provide inspiration for that success,” Mr Papa said.

About the Award:

The Aotearoa NZ Maori Business Leaders Awards 2015 were established in 2004 to recognise and celebrate outstanding Maori excellence and success. Individuals and organisations are honoured for their contributions to the advancement of Maori enterprise in New Zealand and around the world. The event is run in conjunction with The University of Auckland Business School.

The award citation for TGH reads:

The Outstanding Maori Business Leadership Award recognises an organisation that demonstrates excellence and success across four pillars; governance, leadership, management and strategy; business performance; social/community/nga tikanga Maori; and environment/sustainability.

Over the last decade the assets of TGH have grown by more than $500 million to over $840 million. Signature projects have included the development of New Zealand’s largest shopping centre – The Base, the award winning Novotel Auckland Airport Hotel and securing a zoning change for Waikato-Tainui land at Ruakura. Recently TGH has embarked on a new strategy to diversify its investments beyond its strengths in property, acquiring shareholdings in Waikato Milking Systems, Go Bus and Genesis Energy.

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