Tainui CFO appointed interim chief executive

Mike Pohio, chief executive of Tainui Holdings Limited, will step down in April after eight years in the role. Photo: Christine Cornege.

One of New Zealand's wealthiest Maori tribes has just appointed a new temporary boss to head its commercial affairs.

Waikato's Tainui Group Holdings announced chief financial officer, Chris Joblin, is its new acting chief executive.

Joblin steps into the role for outgoing CEO Mike Pohio, who leaves on April 14.

Under Pohio's leadership, Tainui grew its asset base to became New Zealand's second-wealthiest iwi group, second only to the South Island's Ngai Tahu.

That is according to the Deloitte Top Maori business entities and a list complied by Leo Wijohn, a Deloitte private partner and the firm's national Maori business sector leader.

Waikato-Tainui had total assets of more than $1 billion, behind Ngai Tahu's $1.2 billion but ahead of Ngati Whatua Orakei's $592 million, the Deloitte list showed.

An announcement from Tainui said Joblin had been appointed "on an acting basis".

"With a search underway to find a permanent replacement for the outgoing CEO Mike Pohio, Mr Joblin will lead the management of TGH until a permanent appointment is made," the announcement said.

"Mr Joblin has been chief financial officer at TGH since November 2009 and was previously CFO at AFFCO, one of New Zealand's largest meat processors.

"Mr Joblin will commence the role of acting CEO following Mike Pohio's departure on April 14," the announcement said.