Our Board
Maria Ngawati
Chair
Maria Ngawati is a Māmā and has worked across all parts of the Tertiary education sector for the majority of her career. She is a current PhD candidate, holds a Masters degree in Health Science and trained as a Physiotherapist, so has a keen interest in Health Sciences and Whānau wellbeing.
Kate Cherrington
Director
Kate is based in Pōneke but calls Tai Tokerau and Murihiku home. She has spent over 25 years in the tertiary educational sector, notably with Te Wānanga O Aotearoa. She is a highly respected leader in education management, policy design, quality cultural assurance, Māori language programmes and wānanga development.
Awerangi Tamihere
Director
Awerangi is the Chief Operating Officer for Te Whānau o Waipareira and the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency. Awerangi’s career spans the public sector – working in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet in Social Reform and other government agencies through to the private sector.
Tatiana Greening
Alternate Director
Tatiana has extensive governance experience for her iwi in local council, district health board, primary health organisation, Māori and economic development and various service providers. These roles see her advocating for Māori wellbeing priorities and influencing positive outcomes for whānau, hapū, iwi and hāpori.
Bernie O’Donnell
Alternate Director
Bernie O’Donnell is a business consultant and professional director. He is on a number of boards, including as chairman of Manukau Urban Māori Authority, Directorships on Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency, Auckland District Health board (ministerial appointment, Te Mātāwai and National Urban Māori Authority.
Naomi Manu
Alternate Director
Naomi worked in the tertiary sector, founding Pūhoro STEM(M) Academy (Pūhoro) in 2015 while working at Massey University. Pūhoro provides mentorship and support to Māori students interested in STEM subjects. Under her leadership, Pūhoro has encouraged greater Māori participation in the science and innovation sectors.
