Rotorua lawyer, Tania Te Whenua (Tūhoe, Whakatōhea), has been appointed to the Governance New Zealand Women on Boards Executive Committee. With support from Poutama Trust, Tania was able to enrol in Governance New Zealand’s chartered governance programme earlier this year. To Tania’s delight, she graduated at the top of her classes with first class distinction – a timely demonstration of the point which she takes every opportunity to advocate for, “wāhine Māori bring undeniable value to governance and leadership of the super-onto-it kind. It’s that potent mix of hard work and intelligence.”
In the words of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu CEO, Arihia Bennett, “Oh how times have changed, with female leadership popping up everywhere from running the country to running the household. It’s both inspiring and downright practical, as I know things will actually get done.”
Tania’s appointment to Governance New Zealand’s Women on Boards Executive Committee enables the organisation to advance support for wāhine Māori in governance. As Women on Boards Chair, Julie Hardaker said, “We are thrilled to have Tania join Women on Boards and to lead our work on wahine Māori in governance. Women on Boards has this important work as a priority and is working on programmes and projects that will address the current challenges.”
Since her appointment, Women on Boards have developed a work programme that includes a series of symposia to be held in early 2021 to highlight the strength that wāhine Māori bring to the boardroom; a Masterclass for wāhine Māori directors; and a wāhine Māori aspiring director programme. Ultimately Tania would like to see the establishment of a permanent forum for wāhine Māori in leadership and governance which she says is “long overdue, and in great demand as wāhine Māori need a permanent forum to share stories, stimulate whakawhanaungatanga and hāpai other wāhine Māori into positions of organisational leadership and decision-making, where they can better outcomes for all Māori.” In the words of the late great Maya Angelou, “Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.”
Governance New Zealand currently run a chartered governance programme whilst Women on Boards run a one-day masterclass for existing female directors and a series of events and awards to support and celebrate women in governance including wāhine Māori. To find out more or register your interest visit: https://www.governancenz.org/women-on-boards or contact Tania on tania@tewhenua.maori.nz.
