Erima Henare chosen again for key cultural advisory role

Erima Henare

Ngati Hine leader and son of the late Sir James Henare, Erima Henare (pictured) has been re-appointed a Maori cultural adviser to Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.

Mr Henare is one of eight people to be named on the Maori Heritage Council that now advises Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga on developing a bicultural view and advocates for Maori heritage.

It also considers recommendations in relation to archaeological sites, and makes decisions about the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero of wahi tapu, wahi tapu areas and wahi tupuna.

The appointments were announced last week by Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson.

Among other public, advisory and educational sector posts, Mr Henare is the chairman of the Maori Language Commission, executive director of Maori at Open Polytechnic of New Zealand, a member of the Waitangi National Trust Board, and an adviser to the Maori King, Tuheitia Paki.

He has also been a member of Creative New Zealand, New Zealand Arts Council, Northland District Health Board member, and other regional and national boards and committees.

He is one of four members on the Maori Heritage Council who are also on the inaugural Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Board announced last month. The others are architect Ian Athfield, politician, Maori health service and te reo advocate Naida Glavish, and John Clarke, former chief executive of the Ministry of Maori Affairs, Race Relations Conciliator and Human Rights Commissioner, and a member of the Waitangi Tribunal, the Tuhoe Trust, and chair of the Te Komiti o Runga Tribal Authority.

The other council appointees are Kim Ngarimu, Antoine Coffin, Richard Bradley and Patrick McGarvey.