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Kerensa Johnston, Chief Executive
Kerensa is a lawyer who has worked as a solicitor in the private sector, as a Barrister, and as a legal academic at the Faculty of Law, University of Auckland, where she specialised in Māori legal development, public law, land law and international law. Kerensa joined Wakatū as our General Counsel in December 2012, and was appointed Chief Executive in 2016. Kerensa is the Chair of Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, the Māori Centre of Research Excellence and the Chair of Ngāti Tama ki te Tau Ihu Charitable Trust. She is a member of the International Association of Corporate Counsel, Corporate Lawyers’ New Zealand and Te Hunga Roia. Her iwi are Ngāti Tama, Ngāruahine and Ngāti Whāwhakia.
Joe Hanita, Chief Financial Officer and General Manager Corporate Services
Joe recently joined Wakatū as our new CFO, having held the role of CFO for five years at Parininihi ki Waitotara Incorporation. His qualifications include a Bachelor of Business and professional certifications as a Fellow Chartered Accountant (CAANZ), Chartered Public Finance Accountant (CIPFA UK) and Member of the IoD. Joe was previously an Associate Director of the Incorporation and holds external governance roles with the XRB, Te Ātiawa and Atihau Whanganui. Joe was born in Masterton but was raised across the rural sector in the North Island and is of Ngāti Kuia, Te Ātiawa, Rangitāne and Ngāti Kahungunu descent.
Rōpata Taylor, General Manager Manatū
Rōpata has been with Wakatū since 2002 and in the role of General Manager since 2007. Rōpata is a graduate of Otago University and has previously worked in the education sector at secondary and tertiary level. He also holds various Trustee and Director roles within the local community. He is the Chair of Ngāti Rārua Ātiawa Iwi Trust. His iwi are Ngāti Rārua, Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Koata.
Iain Sheves, Group General Manager Property and Commercial (Strategy and Risk)
Scottish by birth, Iain arrived in New Zealand in 2010 along with his young family. Iain has an Honours Degree in Forestry Management, a Masters in Land Economy and is a professional member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Miriana Stephens, General Manager AuOra
Miriana leads our health-solutions business AuOra. Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts in New Zealand History and a Law Degree majoring in Commercial Law. Miriana holds external directorships in a public and private capacity. Miriana also serves on the Wakatū Board and its committees as a Director.
Andy Wotton, Chief Operating Officer
Andy is the Chief Operations Officer for Kono NZ. Andy has been a partner at PwC, a large advisory firm, and since 2016 has been working with a range of leaders and leadership teams as an executive coach. In this capacity he has previously supported the Wakatū senior leadership team and the Kono senior management team. Andy has also worked on a number of commercial projects through management and governance roles with businesses in aviation, farming, recycling and waste reduction, on-line retail and nutraceuticals.