Newsmaker: Reynold Macpherson

Nicki and Reynold Macpherson at their home in Springfield. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

This week's Rotorua Daily Post newsmaker is Reynold Macpherson who is a vocal member of the Rotorua Pro Democracy Society and former chief executive at Waiariki Institute of Technology.

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
I am from Kaitaia. My father was raised by his stepmother, Mei Rahara o Ngai Takoto.
He served in the 27th (Machine Gun) Battalion in WWII, often fighting alongside the 28th (Maori) Battalion, losing two brothers.

He was intolerant of racism and campaigned for financial reforms, literacy and interculturalism. My mother was a gently determined lady from Christchurch who insisted we respect everyone.

Poor dairy farmers, we ate well, mostly home-grown food. We spent weekends hunting and gathering seafood, and visiting cousins. Our family reunion a few years ago attracted about 150 people, all 50 shades of brown. Many of my cousins whakapapa to Ngai Takoto and Te Rarawa. So I am driven by a belief that he iwi tahi tatau, we are one people, diverse for sure, but united by a common civilisation and democratic governance.

What have been the highlights of your working career?
Being sent to Teachers College where I discovered a love of teaching and learning, and later, research. Soldiering part-time with 3RNZIR, the Black Watch of the 51st Highlanders, and 10 Para taught me resilience. My last job was in Cyprus with the UN in 1 Para in trying to stop Greek and Turkish Cypriots killing each other.

I spent decades researching educative leadership. Along the way I served as a professor of professional development, strategic management, educational administration, and political philosophy. Highpoints included being chief executive of Waiariki, Chancellor and chief executive of Abu Dhabi University, NZ Aid consultant in post-conflict reconstruction in Timor Leste, and reforming complex organisations in trouble in many international settings.

Why did you get involved with the Rotorua Pro Democracy Society?
When the Hovell Report was leaked, in May 2104, Te Arawa had not been consulted, showing that the mayor, the Te Arawa-affiliated councillors and the Te Arawa Standing Committee had ignored Justice Smith's ruling. They consulted Te Arawa for the rest of 2014 but foolishly refused to set up public consultations for all other legitimate interest groups.

When the Te Arawa Partnership Plan was approved in principle by council, without any public consultations, Mike McVicker, Rob Kent and I set up the society. If ever implemented, the so-called 'partnership' will allow unelected people to help make decisions that affect the lives of other people, give one important interest group disproportionate power, and cost Rotorua's debt-burdened ratepayers about $1 million a year for a parallel governance and administrative structure.

What do you love about Rotorua?
The power of kotahitanga, unity. When I was chief executive at Waiariki we had an elected council, mostly Maori, that made all policy and planning decisions. There was respect for alternative views, protection of minority interests, and a willingness to work towards understanding and agreement.

Policy advice came from Te Mana Matauranga; kaumatua and kuia from the eight hearts of Te Arawa, Raukawa in Tokeroa, Tuwharetoa in Taupo, Tuhoe in Murupara and Ngati Awa in Whakatane, where we had campuses. Council always acted on their wisdom. That's how I imagine a Maori Policy Advisory Board working for the district council.
Nicki and I love living here. Although all of our children settled in Australia, they bring our grandchildren home whenever they can, and insist we remain here so they can visit.

We have lived all round the world but Rotorua is our turangawaewae.

Tell us three things about yourself most people wouldn't know.
I love projects because I don't need to sleep as much as other people. My mother used to tell me that, from an early age, "You would argue with the Pope!" I waited decades to be called up for the All Blacks or the Black Caps.