He aha te mea nui o te Ao? He tāngata, He tāngata, He tāngata!
What is most important in the world? It is people, people, people!

One of our core values, Manaakitanga, encapsulates care and respect for people and relationships. Our organisation is made up of innovative, inspired people who share our vision and are proud of our work.

Board

Featured
Johnny McGregor, Chair
Johnny McGregor, Chair

Johnny was previously an Associate Director of Wakatū. He is a Kono Director, and also sits on the Audit & Risk Committee and Chairs the Human Resource Committee. Johnny’s professional qualifications include a Masters in Education Research. Johnny has extensive experience in senior leadership roles across Aotearoa. He serves on a number of boards and expert advisory groups, and is an Executive Member on the Federation of Māori Authorities. Johnny lives in Wellington and is of Te Ātiawa and Ngāti Rārua descent.

Jeremy Banks, Deputy Chair
Jeremy Banks, Deputy Chair

Jeremy is a previous Associate Director of Wakatū.  He has an Honours degree in Computer Science from the University of Otago and his commercial experience includes running and growing software businesses.  Jeremy is of Ngāti Rārua, Rangitāne and Ngāti Kuia descent.

Pat (Rore) Stafford
Pat (Rore) Stafford

Rore is a member of the HR Committee and Manaaki Board, as well as the Board Kaumatua, which requires him to represent the Board and owners at various hui throughout Te Tauihu and Aotearoa. Rore resides in Maniapoto and is actively involved in local Marae committees. He is of Ngāti Rārua, Kinohaku, Ngāti Tama and Ngāti Maniapoto descent.

Russell (Barney) Thomas
Russell (Barney) Thomas

Barney is the local Iwi Manager for the Department of Conservation and resides in Nelson. He is a Director on the Whenua Board and Chairs the Manaaki Board. Barney is of Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Tama, Te Ātiawa and Ngāi Tahu descent.

Miriana Stephens
Miriana Stephens

Miriana was previously an Associate Director and Scholarship recipient of the Incorporation. Miriana is a Director on the Whenua Board, the Wawata Board (which oversees a JV relationship with T&G), and is a member of the Audit & Risk Committee. Miriana also 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 was born and raised in Motueka and is of Ngāti Rārua, Ngāiterangi and Ngāti Ranginui descent.

Riria (Missy) Te Kanawa
Riria (Missy) Te Kanawa
Jamie Tuuta
Jamie Tuuta

Jamie is a highly accomplished director with a diverse background spanning iwi development, agribusiness, fishing, investment, health, housing, Māori development, tourism, philanthropy, and education.

He currently serves as chair of Whakaata Māori, Taranaki Mounga Project, Sealord, and Pou Tahua (the economic grouping of the National Iwi Chairs Forum), and also holds directorial roles at Moana NZ, Port Taranaki, and several iwi investment vehicles.

Executive Team

Featured
Joe Hanita, Tumu Whakarae (Chief Executive Officer)
Joe Hanita, Tumu Whakarae (Chief Executive Officer)

Joe joined Wakatū Incorporation in 2022 as Chief Financial Officer / GM Corporate Services and was appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer in February 2025. Before his tenure at Wakatū, Joe served as the CFO at Parininihi ki Waitotara Incorporation.

Joe holds a Bachelor of Business and is a Fellow Chartered Accountant (CAANZ), Chartered Public Finance Accountant (CIPFA UK), and a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors New Zealand (IoD). His extensive governance experience includes roles such as a previous Associate Director of Wakatū and external governance positions with the External Reporting Board (XRB), Te Ātiawa (Te Tauihu and Taranaki), Ngāti Tama (Te Tauihu) and Rangitāne (Wairarapa).

Born in Masterton and raised in the rural sector of the North Island, Joe is of Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Te Ātiawa, Rangitāne, and Ngāti Kahungunu descent.

joe.hanita@wakatu.org

Rōpata Taylor, Tumu Manatū (General Manager Manatū)
Rōpata Taylor, Tumu Manatū (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.

ropata.taylor@wakatu.org

Iain Sheves, Tumu Whenua me te Mātanga Rautaki (Group General Manager Property and Commercial (Strategy and Risk))
Iain Sheves, Tumu Whenua me te Mātanga Rautaki (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.

iain.sheves@wakatu.org

Marina Hirst Tristram, General Manager Kono
Marina Hirst Tristram, General Manager Kono

Nō Ingarangi oku tīpuna,
I tae toku whānau ki Kawatiri, ki Mohua,
Engari, I whānau mai ahau ki Whakatū.

As General Manager Kono | Tumu Kono, Marina is responsible for our food and beverage businesses including Kono Horticulture (growing pipfruit, kiwifruit in the Motueka rohe), Tohu Winery & vineyards based in Awatere Valley, Marlborough, and Upper Moutere, Tasman, and Hop Federation Brewery in Motueka.