Waitangi Tribunal role for Herewini Te Koha

big DECISIONS: Former Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou chief executive Herewini Te Koha has been appointed to the Waitangi Tribunal. Picture by Paul Rickard

Former chief executive of Te Runanganui o Ngāti Porou, Herewini Te Koha, has been appointed to the Waitangi Tribunal.

Minister for Māori Development, Willie Jackson, announced the appointment of Mr Te Koha (Ngāti Porou, Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Tamatera), and the reappointment of 11 existing members to the Waitangi Tribunal

Mr Te Koha joins current members Dr Robyn Anderson, Kim Ngarimu, Professor Rawinia Higgins, Professor Tā William Te Rangiua (Pou) Temara, Professor Linda Smith, Associate Professor Tom Roa, Prudence Tamatekapua, Ron Crosby, Dr Ruakere Hond, Tania Simpson and Dr Monty Soutar who have all been reappointed for a three-year term.

Mr Te Koha brings to the Tribunal significant public sector experience in Māori development and a legacy of strong iwi leadership. His former roles include deputy secretary at Te Puni Kōkiri, chief executive of Te Māngai Pāho and deputy director at the Office of Treaty Settlements.

“Congratulations to Herewini on his appointment and to the existing members for their reappointment to the Tribunal. These appointments reflect the experience and diversity needed on the Tribunal and recognise the tremendous range of capabilities needed for Tribunal panels,” Minister Jackson said.

Waitangi Tribunal members come from all walks of life and are appointed for their broad expertise in the matters that are likely to come before them.

Appointments are made by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister for Māori Development.

Mr Te Koha's governance experience includes co-chair of the governance group Manaaki Tairāwhiti, and he was one of three rūnanga-nominated appointees to Te Haeata, Ngāti Porou's treaty of Waitangi claims negotiation team.