Leadership reflects diverse communities of Tāmaki

Ka kī mai kei tua o te poutokomanawa e kanapu mai ana, tērā ko Mahuika te wāhine whakawera i te ngākau e!

Kei te rere ngā mihi ki a Jada MacFie (nō Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Kauwhata, Ngāti Paoa, Waikato me Ngāti Pākehā) me te whakanui i tana whānau whānui mo tana tūranga hou hei Kaiwhakahaere Matua - Whakahono Tāngata (GM Connection and People Experience).

Mānawatia ai āna tātai whakapapa ki ngā tōpito o te rohe nei ki Tāmaki me āna here ki ngā mana o te takiwā whānui.  Kei te harikoa rawa atu mātou i tutuki i a Jada tēnei tūranga, hei ārahi i a mātou ki te wāhanga whakahono i te tangata ki te kaupapa.

There is a quiet revolution taking place in the Tāmaki Regeneration Company (TRC). The company responsible for building 10,500 warm, dry homes in Panmure, Pt England and Glen Innes, is transforming itself to better reflect these communities.

CEO Shelley Katae, of Te Rarawa and Ngāti Porou says, “TRC priorities include embedding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in our decision making; achieving equity through systems change; and Mana Motuhake – ‘by Tāmaki, for Tāmaki’.”

Katae says, “Achieving equity in our Māori and Pasifika communities starts in our own whare. By achieving equity within our own organisation, we set in place the foundations to be able to support the achievement of equitable outcomes in the communities we serve. Māori and Pasifika need to be at the decision-making table to support this change in Tāmaki and more broadly Aotearoa. At TRC, we are ensuring that they are.”

Ms Katae says she is thrilled to welcome Jada MacFie to the leadership team. “Jada is taking up the position of GM Connections and People Experience. She joins a leadership team including myself and fellow GMs Joanna Brain, Mihi Tibble, Afoa Malolo, Neil Porteous and Paul McElwee.

“Of special significance, being of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Paoa, Ngāti Kauwhata, Waikato (Ngaati Maahanga Hourua) and pākehā descent - Jada’s appointment brings Mana Whenua representation to the leadership table at Tāmaki Regeneration Company for the first time.”

James Brown, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki Chair says this is a great outcome for everyone, but it is not a surprise.

“We are very proud of Jada’s journey both in a professional and personal sense. Jada is a great wife and mother and is a role model across our Iwi. She has an acute sense of what is required to collaborate and partner with Mana Whenua with cultural integrity and trust. Jada holds the mana of all those whenua in Ngāi Tai, Ngāti Paoa, Raukawa and Tainui.”

Glen Tupuhi - Chair, Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust has congratulated TRC’s wisdom in rewarding and elevating grass roots experience. “This appointment of Tangata Whenua Mana Whenua, speaks volumes with regards to the treaty honouring commitment of the Tāmaki Regeneration Company board.”

Mrs MacFie has a background in business innovation, being co-founder of global design & innovation agency Indigo; and Manaaki, the small business digital community and advisory platform.

She has held the role of Engagement Manager at TRC for the past 1.5 years. In the past she worked in HR/people and change management in the tertiary and infrastructure sectors.

Ms Katae says, “I know the experience, strong values and commitment Jada brings to the team will make a real difference as we work with our partners, Mana Whenua and the Tāmaki community to deliver on our strategic priorities and future vision.”