Ngapuhi name new CEO

Tony Dowling.

The new chief executive of Te Runanga A Iwi O Ngapuhi will bring commercial-world expertise and experience in the world of Maori to the table, the runanga's acting chair says.

The Ngapuhi Runanga has announced Tony Dowling as the new chief executive, replacing Allen Wihongi, who retired this year.

Mr Dowling, who is of Ngapuhi and Ngati Tautahi descent, will join the runanga on November 2 from his role as director innovation and development at Te Wananga o Aotearoa and previous roles as general manager for Honeywell and New Zealand regional manager of Siemens A&D.

"Tony joins the runanga at a defining moment, with opportunities to be seized that can advance our people in our rohe," said runanga acting chair Carol Dodd.

"We will benefit from his commercial-world expertise and more recently his te ao Maori experience at the wananga."

Te Wananga o Aotearoa chief executive Jim Mather said Mr Dowling would be "sorely missed".

"Tony and [the Innovation Development Group] have been instrumental in the delivery of a suite of programmes including a national Corrections contract that focuses on increasing inmates' literacy and numeracy which integrates a Maori teaching style and graduates have gone on to further study."

Mr Dowling said his time at Te Wananga o Aotearoa had been incredibly fulfilling professionally and personally.