Tena tatau Ngati Porou, I want to begin my korero with first acknowledging Ta Robert McLeod, the Chair of Nati Growth, and Patrick Tangaere, the Chair of TRONPnui, for entrusting me with the opportunity to serve as Acting Chief Executive of Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou since August. It has been a privilege to serve in this role and provided me with an invaluable opportunity to engage more closely with the operations of Ngati Porou Oranga and Toitu Ngati Porou, while interacting with the dedicated kaimahi who work in these areas. As CEO of Nati Growth, I have primarily been involved with the commercial side of the TRONPnui Group operations. However, being able to step across and gain a closer understanding of the social and cultural arms of our organisation has been very enlightening and reinforced how interconnected all aspects of our TRONPnui Group mahi truly are. Ngati Porou's economic growth supports the oranga of our whanau, marae and communities, while at the same time the wellbeing and strength of our people and Ngati Poroutanga is essential for our economic success.
NGATI POROU ORANGA
In my brief time in the acting role, I have learned more about the incredible mahi happening across the six NPO teams: Hauora, Housing, Whanau Oranga, Horouta Whanau Ora, Rangatahi and the Centre of Excellence. I must acknowledge the dedication of Lisa Whakataka, Chief Operating Officer of Ngati Porou Oranga, who steered NPO through a period of leadership transition while ensuring operational continuity. I encourage you to read through the detailed Ngati Porou Oranga reports in this publication and find out how they achieved remarkable outcomes, often working in complex and challenging situations to deliver critical services to our whanau. A consistent narrative I have seen across the NPO reports is the impact that changes to government policy and funding have had on our more vulnerable whanau in our communities and the fall-out from these changes our front-line kaimahi often have had to deal with. Another key theme is the challenges that come from the geographical isolation of our rohe, poor infrastructure and persistent health and social inequities. I support the efforts of our TRONPnui Chair and NPO Chair to have these issues addressed at a Ministerial level through the Ngati Porou Relationship Accords with the Crown.
TOITU NGATI POROU
I have also been warmly welcomed by the Toitu Ngati Porou General Manager, Rhonda Tibble to attend hui and observe the work of Toitu Ngati Porou. During the 2024-2025 financial year, Rhonda's team processed and approved 355 grants to the value of $1,006,947 to support whanau, hapu, marae, kaiako, rangatahi, and taurahere. Reports received from grant recipients demonstrate that the cultural investment is making a real difference and achieving a number of outcomes, from sporting to cultural to educational success. I look forward to seeing the development of Toitu Ngati Porou's digital platform that will preserve and showcase Ngati Porou's cultural assets, media, and archives. This online cultural repository along with the shared digital whakapapa infrastructure they will be exploring, will help strengthen our cultural capital and help connect current and future generations with their whakapapa.
BACK OFFICE SUPPORT
I also want to acknowledge our finance, administration, and communications teams. Their work may not always be visible, but it is essential. I have heard that three of the TRONPnui finance team are working towards completing their finance degrees and CPA exams. As a chartered accountant myself, it is awesome to have more Maori joining the finance profession. I am also aware of the community engagement support the Communications team provided to Ngati Porou Oranga, who have supported key community initiatives such as Matariki Childhood Vax Campaign, Unify on the 35, Te Puna Wai launch and Tatai Oranga Symposium. The Comms team also led the development of the new ngatiporou.com website. I have also seen that the Nati Link magazine has been revived, and enjoyed reading all the interesting stories about Ngati Porou at home and living away.
IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES FOR TRONPNUI
Looking ahead to the new year, alongside the priorities identified by Ngati Porou Oranga and Toitu Ngati Porou, I will be focusing on the following activities during this interim period as Acting CE: Working with the board to implement effective governance processes that ensure TRONPnui operates efficiently and remains compliant Reviewing internal operations to achieve more effective and efficient use of resources across the organisation Reviewing our asset management portfolio to ensure we are maximizing returns and distributions to our people Reviewing our IT infrastructure to support modern, efficient operations As part of my mahi, I will also be working with the board to implement a strategic communications and engagement strategy to support the completion of the TRONPnui strategic plan, Trust Deed Review and Rohenga 3 bi-election. I will also be supporting the board to carry out the development of their 'Ngati Porou mo Ngati Porou' initiatives. A fit-for-purpose Ngati Porou Membership Registration Database has also been recently completed, replacing the older, outdated system. The new system has enhanced capability and will be critical in our expanded efforts to engage and communicate to our Ngati Porou iwi members across Aotearoa and the world.
NGA MIHI O TE WA
I want to acknowledge George Reedy, the former TRONPnui CEO, and Leo Warid, the former TRONPnui CFO, for their contribution to TRONPnui and to Ngati Porou. I had good working relationships with both, and wish them well in their future endeavors. I also want to thank all our boards and kaimahi across the TRONPnui Group: the parent TRONPnui board, NPO, Toitu Ngati Porou and Näti Growth. It has been a pleasure to work with you all, and I have learned so much from these experiences - even during the more challenging times. I wish our Ngati Porou whanau whanui a well-deserved break over Christmas and New Year. For those returning home, save this date in your calendar: Saturday, 3 January 2026. The Ngati Porou Pa Wars will be at Whakarua Park in Ruatoria, so check in with your marae, as they might need you to play on their team! Aku mihi nui ki a koutou, ki a tatau katoa.
Henare Walker
Interim Chief Executive
Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou
Download a copy of the TRONPnui Group 2025 Annual Report here:
https://www.ngatiporou.com/publication/annual-report-2025
Download a copy of the TRONPnui Group 2025 Financials here:
https://www.ngatiporou.com/publication/annual-consolidated-financial-statement-2025
Tena tatau Ngati Porou, I want to begin my korero with first acknowledging Ta Robert McLeod, the Chair of Nati Growth, and Patrick Tangaere, the Chair of TRONPnui, for entrusting me with the opportunity to serve as Acting Chief Executive of Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou since August. It has been a privilege to serve in this role and provided me with an invaluable opportunity to engage more closely with the operations of Ngati Porou Oranga and Toitu Ngati Porou, while interacting with the dedicated kaimahi who work in these areas. As CEO of Nati Growth, I have primarily been involved with the commercial side of the TRONPnui Group operations. However, being able to step across and gain a closer understanding of the social and cultural arms of our organisation has been very enlightening and reinforced how interconnected all aspects of our TRONPnui Group mahi truly are. Ngati Porou's economic growth supports the oranga of our whanau, marae and communities, while at the same time the wellbeing and strength of our people and Ngati Poroutanga is essential for our economic success.
NGATI POROU ORANGA
In my brief time in the acting role, I have learned more about the incredible mahi happening across the six NPO teams: Hauora, Housing, Whanau Oranga, Horouta Whanau Ora, Rangatahi and the Centre of Excellence. I must acknowledge the dedication of Lisa Whakataka, Chief Operating Officer of Ngati Porou Oranga, who steered NPO through a period of leadership transition while ensuring operational continuity. I encourage you to read through the detailed Ngati Porou Oranga reports in this publication and find out how they achieved remarkable outcomes, often working in complex and challenging situations to deliver critical services to our whanau. A consistent narrative I have seen across the NPO reports is the impact that changes to government policy and funding have had on our more vulnerable whanau in our communities and the fall-out from these changes our front-line kaimahi often have had to deal with. Another key theme is the challenges that come from the geographical isolation of our rohe, poor infrastructure and persistent health and social inequities. I support the efforts of our TRONPnui Chair and NPO Chair to have these issues addressed at a Ministerial level through the Ngati Porou Relationship Accords with the Crown.
TOITU NGATI POROU
I have also been warmly welcomed by the Toitu Ngati Porou General Manager, Rhonda Tibble to attend hui and observe the work of Toitu Ngati Porou. During the 2024-2025 financial year, Rhonda's team processed and approved 355 grants to the value of $1,006,947 to support whanau, hapu, marae, kaiako, rangatahi, and taurahere. Reports received from grant recipients demonstrate that the cultural investment is making a real difference and achieving a number of outcomes, from sporting to cultural to educational success. I look forward to seeing the development of Toitu Ngati Porou's digital platform that will preserve and showcase Ngati Porou's cultural assets, media, and archives. This online cultural repository along with the shared digital whakapapa infrastructure they will be exploring, will help strengthen our cultural capital and help connect current and future generations with their whakapapa.
BACK OFFICE SUPPORT
I also want to acknowledge our finance, administration, and communications teams. Their work may not always be visible, but it is essential. I have heard that three of the TRONPnui finance team are working towards completing their finance degrees and CPA exams. As a chartered accountant myself, it is awesome to have more Maori joining the finance profession. I am also aware of the community engagement support the Communications team provided to Ngati Porou Oranga, who have supported key community initiatives such as Matariki Childhood Vax Campaign, Unify on the 35, Te Puna Wai launch and Tatai Oranga Symposium. The Comms team also led the development of the new ngatiporou.com website. I have also seen that the Nati Link magazine has been revived, and enjoyed reading all the interesting stories about Ngati Porou at home and living away.
IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES FOR TRONPNUI
Looking ahead to the new year, alongside the priorities identified by Ngati Porou Oranga and Toitu Ngati Porou, I will be focusing on the following activities during this interim period as Acting CE: Working with the board to implement effective governance processes that ensure TRONPnui operates efficiently and remains compliant Reviewing internal operations to achieve more effective and efficient use of resources across the organisation Reviewing our asset management portfolio to ensure we are maximizing returns and distributions to our people Reviewing our IT infrastructure to support modern, efficient operations As part of my mahi, I will also be working with the board to implement a strategic communications and engagement strategy to support the completion of the TRONPnui strategic plan, Trust Deed Review and Rohenga 3 bi-election. I will also be supporting the board to carry out the development of their 'Ngati Porou mo Ngati Porou' initiatives. A fit-for-purpose Ngati Porou Membership Registration Database has also been recently completed, replacing the older, outdated system. The new system has enhanced capability and will be critical in our expanded efforts to engage and communicate to our Ngati Porou iwi members across Aotearoa and the world.
NGA MIHI O TE WA
I want to acknowledge George Reedy, the former TRONPnui CEO, and Leo Warid, the former TRONPnui CFO, for their contribution to TRONPnui and to Ngati Porou. I had good working relationships with both, and wish them well in their future endeavors. I also want to thank all our boards and kaimahi across the TRONPnui Group: the parent TRONPnui board, NPO, Toitu Ngati Porou and Näti Growth. It has been a pleasure to work with you all, and I have learned so much from these experiences - even during the more challenging times. I wish our Ngati Porou whanau whanui a well-deserved break over Christmas and New Year. For those returning home, save this date in your calendar: Saturday, 3 January 2026. The Ngati Porou Pa Wars will be at Whakarua Park in Ruatoria, so check in with your marae, as they might need you to play on their team! Aku mihi nui ki a koutou, ki a tatau katoa.
Henare Walker
Interim Chief Executive
Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou
Download a copy of the TRONPnui Group 2025 Annual Report here:
https://www.ngatiporou.com/publication/annual-report-2025
Download a copy of the TRONPnui Group 2025 Financials here:
https://www.ngatiporou.com/publication/annual-consolidated-financial-statement-2025
Tena tatau Ngati Porou, I want to begin my korero with first acknowledging Ta Robert McLeod, the Chair of Nati Growth, and Patrick Tangaere, the Chair of TRONPnui, for entrusting me with the opportunity to serve as Acting Chief Executive of Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou since August. It has been a privilege to serve in this role and provided me with an invaluable opportunity to engage more closely with the operations of Ngati Porou Oranga and Toitu Ngati Porou, while interacting with the dedicated kaimahi who work in these areas. As CEO of Nati Growth, I have primarily been involved with the commercial side of the TRONPnui Group operations. However, being able to step across and gain a closer understanding of the social and cultural arms of our organisation has been very enlightening and reinforced how interconnected all aspects of our TRONPnui Group mahi truly are. Ngati Porou's economic growth supports the oranga of our whanau, marae and communities, while at the same time the wellbeing and strength of our people and Ngati Poroutanga is essential for our economic success.
NGATI POROU ORANGA
In my brief time in the acting role, I have learned more about the incredible mahi happening across the six NPO teams: Hauora, Housing, Whanau Oranga, Horouta Whanau Ora, Rangatahi and the Centre of Excellence. I must acknowledge the dedication of Lisa Whakataka, Chief Operating Officer of Ngati Porou Oranga, who steered NPO through a period of leadership transition while ensuring operational continuity. I encourage you to read through the detailed Ngati Porou Oranga reports in this publication and find out how they achieved remarkable outcomes, often working in complex and challenging situations to deliver critical services to our whanau. A consistent narrative I have seen across the NPO reports is the impact that changes to government policy and funding have had on our more vulnerable whanau in our communities and the fall-out from these changes our front-line kaimahi often have had to deal with. Another key theme is the challenges that come from the geographical isolation of our rohe, poor infrastructure and persistent health and social inequities. I support the efforts of our TRONPnui Chair and NPO Chair to have these issues addressed at a Ministerial level through the Ngati Porou Relationship Accords with the Crown.
TOITU NGATI POROU
I have also been warmly welcomed by the Toitu Ngati Porou General Manager, Rhonda Tibble to attend hui and observe the work of Toitu Ngati Porou. During the 2024-2025 financial year, Rhonda's team processed and approved 355 grants to the value of $1,006,947 to support whanau, hapu, marae, kaiako, rangatahi, and taurahere. Reports received from grant recipients demonstrate that the cultural investment is making a real difference and achieving a number of outcomes, from sporting to cultural to educational success. I look forward to seeing the development of Toitu Ngati Porou's digital platform that will preserve and showcase Ngati Porou's cultural assets, media, and archives. This online cultural repository along with the shared digital whakapapa infrastructure they will be exploring, will help strengthen our cultural capital and help connect current and future generations with their whakapapa.
BACK OFFICE SUPPORT
I also want to acknowledge our finance, administration, and communications teams. Their work may not always be visible, but it is essential. I have heard that three of the TRONPnui finance team are working towards completing their finance degrees and CPA exams. As a chartered accountant myself, it is awesome to have more Maori joining the finance profession. I am also aware of the community engagement support the Communications team provided to Ngati Porou Oranga, who have supported key community initiatives such as Matariki Childhood Vax Campaign, Unify on the 35, Te Puna Wai launch and Tatai Oranga Symposium. The Comms team also led the development of the new ngatiporou.com website. I have also seen that the Nati Link magazine has been revived, and enjoyed reading all the interesting stories about Ngati Porou at home and living away.
IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES FOR TRONPNUI
Looking ahead to the new year, alongside the priorities identified by Ngati Porou Oranga and Toitu Ngati Porou, I will be focusing on the following activities during this interim period as Acting CE: Working with the board to implement effective governance processes that ensure TRONPnui operates efficiently and remains compliant Reviewing internal operations to achieve more effective and efficient use of resources across the organisation Reviewing our asset management portfolio to ensure we are maximizing returns and distributions to our people Reviewing our IT infrastructure to support modern, efficient operations As part of my mahi, I will also be working with the board to implement a strategic communications and engagement strategy to support the completion of the TRONPnui strategic plan, Trust Deed Review and Rohenga 3 bi-election. I will also be supporting the board to carry out the development of their 'Ngati Porou mo Ngati Porou' initiatives. A fit-for-purpose Ngati Porou Membership Registration Database has also been recently completed, replacing the older, outdated system. The new system has enhanced capability and will be critical in our expanded efforts to engage and communicate to our Ngati Porou iwi members across Aotearoa and the world.
NGA MIHI O TE WA
I want to acknowledge George Reedy, the former TRONPnui CEO, and Leo Warid, the former TRONPnui CFO, for their contribution to TRONPnui and to Ngati Porou. I had good working relationships with both, and wish them well in their future endeavors. I also want to thank all our boards and kaimahi across the TRONPnui Group: the parent TRONPnui board, NPO, Toitu Ngati Porou and Näti Growth. It has been a pleasure to work with you all, and I have learned so much from these experiences - even during the more challenging times. I wish our Ngati Porou whanau whanui a well-deserved break over Christmas and New Year. For those returning home, save this date in your calendar: Saturday, 3 January 2026. The Ngati Porou Pa Wars will be at Whakarua Park in Ruatoria, so check in with your marae, as they might need you to play on their team! Aku mihi nui ki a koutou, ki a tatau katoa.
Henare Walker
Interim Chief Executive
Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou
Download a copy of the TRONPnui Group 2025 Annual Report here:
https://www.ngatiporou.com/publication/annual-report-2025
Download a copy of the TRONPnui Group 2025 Financials here:
https://www.ngatiporou.com/publication/annual-consolidated-financial-statement-2025
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