Shane Taurima - TVNZ Marae presenter

Shane Taurima (Rongomaiwahine, Ngati Kahungunu, Ngati Porou) is an experienced broadcast and print journalist. He was a finalist in the Best News & Current Affairs Presenter category at the 2006 Qantas Media Awards for his role at TVNZ's Maori Current Affairs programme Marae. Shane has worked in the Parliamentary Press Gallery for ten years and is Political Correspondent for daily news programme Te Karere. From 1996 to 2005, he held several roles at the Maori radio news service, Ruia Mai including News Manager and Political Editor.

Hon. Parekura Horomia, Minister of Maori Affairs

Current parliamentary roles:

• Minister of Maori Affairs
• Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment
• Associate Minister of Education
• Associate Minister of State Services
• Associate Minister of Fisheries

Leith Comer, CEO, Te Puni Kokiri

Leith Comer took up the position of Chief Executive of Te Puni Kōkiri in February 2001. Prior to this he was Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Development. He has extensive experience as a company director, including five years as the chairperson of Lakeland Health.

He served in the New Zealand Army for 21 years, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Leith has broad experience in policy advice, public sector management, and the role of the State in building confidence among communities.
A graduate from the United States Army General Staff College, Leith received the Eisenhower Award for academic excellence. He is the only New Zealander to receive this award.

Jerry Mateparae, Chief of the NZDF

Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae enlisted into the Regular Force of the New Zealand Army in June 1972. He has had a number of Regimental and Staff appointments throughout his 35 years in the New Zealand Defence Force. These include command at platoon, company and battalion levels, serving with the New Zealand Special Air Service and commanding the First Battalion RNZIR. In December 1999, Lieutenant General Mateparae was promoted and assumed the appointment as the New Zealand Army's Land Commander, in July 2001 was re-appointed as the Land Component Commander in the Headquarters of Joint Forces New Zealand and in February 2002, was promoted to Chief of Army. On 1 May 2006 he was promoted to his current rank and took up the appointment of Chief of Defence Force.

Toni Urlich, National Sales Manager, Mai Media Ltd

Toni has been working for Mai Fm for well over a decade, beginning her employment with the company a year after it began broadcasting in Auckland.

She has had a number of different roles at Mai Fm, starting out in sales and then going onto managing the promotions team and finally ending up as National sales Manager.

During her time at Mai Fm she has been privileged to set up two brands for Government agencies, the first the highly successful Sip Stay In Play campaign and the second the anti family violence campaign running in Northland called Step Back.

Kingi Gilbert, Ignite Studios

Kingi Gilbert runs Ignite Studios, a boutique media design company specialising in the production of magazines, television shows, interactive games and theatrical expositions. Kingi has worked on Xbox and PlayStation games in United Kingdom , produced shows for Sky Sports and Buena Vista entertainment and performed at Universal Studios in Spain. Kingi is of Te Arawa and Ngati Maniapoto descent and is currently working on a multi-media cartoon experience for Gen-Xer's.

Jim Mather, CEO, Maori Television

Jim Mather was appointed Chief Executive of Māori Television in February 2005. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the Henley Management College in England and a Bachelor of Business Studies.

His business management experience spans over 15 years. Most recently he was Chief Executive of the Pacific Business Trust based in Auckland. A qualified accountant by profession, he has held a variety of private sector roles including General Manager of a marine engineering business and Financial Controller for a local subsidiary of a Swiss multi-national.

Aligned with his commercial background, Jim Mather is also a former officer in the New Zealand Army, and was awarded the Sword of Honour in recognition of his distinguished achievements in Officer training.

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Charmaine Love, Kia Kaha

Charmaine together with husband Dan and brother in law Matene own Kia Kaha Clothing, a Wellington based clothing company which produced former US Open champion, Michael Campbell’s Cambo range of apparel. Charmaine’s designs received worldwide recognition when Michael successfully held off the challenge of Tiger Woods to win the 2005 US Open. Donald Trump was so impressed with the range he ordered six replica Cambo shirts. Both the Kia Kaha range and the Charmaine Love collection are now being distributed to America and thru out parts of Europe to much success.

Matene Love, Kia Kaha

Matene is currently a Senior Lecturer and Programme Director of the Maori Business Unit in the Faculty of Commerce and Administration, Victoria University of Wellington, as well as being a founding director and owner of Kia Kaha Clothing.

A primary trained school teacher, Matene has taught at both the primary and secondary school levels, as well as holding senior management positions at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.

Prior to taking up the position at Victoria University, Matene spent some years overseas as a professional sportsman as well as lecturing in the Faculty of Business Studies at Massey University, Palmerston North.

He has a Diploma of Teaching, Bachelor of Education Degree and a Master of Business Studies Degree with Distinction.

A Maori of Te Atiawa decent, Matene is currently a trustee on a number of Maori Trusts and works with iwi as a business advisor, helping to develop Maori owned assets into commercially viable business initiatives.

Tiwana Tibble, CEO, Ngati Whatua O Orakei Inc.

"It is you that will determine your own outcomes. It is you that will implement the plans to overcome the challenges you will face. Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui."

Thus Tiwana Tibble to young Maori graduates at Massey University in May. Tibble, who graduated from Massey in 1987 with a Bachelor of Business Studies, after being head boy and dux of Feilding's Hato Paora College , is a role model for Maori business success. Though Ngati Porou by birth, in his nine years as CEO of the corporate arm of Ngati Whatua o Orakei he has built its equity from $30 million to $170 million through commercial investment, particularly in Auckland property development. Says Power List panellist Pauline Kingi: "He's highly respected, probably the senior most successful CEO in Maori economic development in this country, and very, very astute."

Mike Pohio, CEO, Tainui Group Holdings

Mike was appointed to the role of Chief Executive of Tainui Group Holdings in August 2006.

For the three years prior to this appointment Mike was Container Terminal Manager, a senior management position, at the Port of Tauranga a publicly listed company with an annual turnover of approximately $150 million. From 1987 to 2003 Mr Pohio was with Fonterra and its Hamilton-based predecessor, the New Zealand Dairy Group. During his time with the company he was the Group Financial Controller, General Manager of Glencoal Energy and Regional General Manager for Anchor Products' South Island operations. He was Merger Benefits Manager for Fonterra before joining the Port of Tauranga .

Rhonda Kite, CEO, Kiwa Media Group

Rhonda is a successful producer in the New Zealand film and television industry. As the founder of VoiceQ International she has pioneered the drive and advanced technology for foreign language dubbing solutions in the industry. Her work is internationally recognised, and she is on the board of local and international organisations. More recently she was appointed to the Broadcasting Commission (NZ On Air).

As Maori business Woman of the year 2001/2002, Rhonda won an unprecedented three out of five awards: Best Business in Employment Creation, Best Self Employment In Business and the supreme award for Overall Excellence in Business.

Che Fu, Singer/songwriter

Che's debut solo album '2b S.Pacific' was released in 1997. It launched 4 Top 10 singles ('Chains','Scene III', 'Without A Doubt' and 'Waka'), charted at #1, and sold 2 x Platinum - a landmark for a local urban record at the time.

In 2001, Che released the follow-up album 'Navigator'. 'Navigator' debuted at #1 and stayed there for 3 successive weeks, going on to generate close to 4 x platinum in sales. It featured the singles 'Fade Away', 'Random', and the APRA Silver Scroll winning 'Misty Frequencies'.

Che's latest solo album 'Beneath The Radar' was released in 2005 and includes the singles 'Lightwork' and 'Mysterious Vibe'.

Matt Te Pou, Ex NZ Maori Rugby Coach

Matt Te Pou has spent 23 years in the New Zealand Army, including a tour of Vietnam from 1970-71.  He trained as an Officer in the NZDF and has received 3 Queens Honours in 1982, 89 and 2006 respectively.  More recently, Matt is renowned for his work as a professional rugby coach, including working with the Bay of Plenty Rugby Team , the Chiefs Super 14 Team, and the New Zealand Maori Rugby Team - notably coaching them to their famous victory over the recent touring Lions Team.  Currently Matt is a business consultant and farmer.

Temuera Morrison, Actor/Entertainer

Temuera Morrison is a well respected actor and personality, both in New Zealand and internationally. He has played a number of major in films since his acting debut in 1972, the most recent of which is River Queen (2006) directed by Vincent Ward.  Temuera is perhaps most famous for his work in Once Were Warriors and the later Star Wars films. He has also received multiple awards including the Nokia Film and Television Awards Best Actor in Film Award for What Becomes of the Broken Hearted .

Alasdair Thompson, CEO, EMA Northern

Alasdair, Chief Executive Officer of the Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern) is a member of the APEC Business Advisory Council and Managing Director of Linrick Investments (NZ) Ltd. He was formerly Mayor of the Thames Coromandel District Council, a member of the Waikato Regional Council Land Transport Committee, a director of Power New Zealand Ltd, Health Waikato Ltd and Commissioner - Waikato Area Health Board. He received the Queen's New Zealand Commemorative Medal for Service to New Zealand.

Shane Taurima (Rongomaiwahine, Ngati Kahungunu, Ngati Porou) is an experienced broadcast and print journalist. He was a finalist in the Best News & Current Affairs Presenter category at the 2006 Qantas Media Awards for his role at TVNZ's Maori Current Affairs programme Marae. Shane has worked in the Parliamentary Press Gallery for ten years and is Political Correspondent for daily news programme Te Karere. From 1996 to 2005, he held several roles at the Maori radio news service, Ruia Mai including News Manager and Political Editor.