Manawatu¯’s growing list of leading lights
The places you live or have lived, the people there, the experiences and opportunities, play a fundamental role in each of our lives and the journeys we are on. But it is not often that we recognise or talk about how our time in a place has helped to shape who we are, until, perhaps, we are asked.
Last week the Central Economic Development Agency launched Te Aho Ta¯ maka, a programme designed to get some of the Manawatu¯ region’s greatest leaders to do just that.
Te Aho Ta¯ maka acknowledges and celebrates our region’s diverse and illustrious group of accomplished leaders across all fields – academia, business, arts, sport, culture, theology and more. Through each of their journeys, experiences and stories, the programme aims to grow regional pride, inspire and develop our future leaders and provide opportunities for the leaders to give back to the city and region.
Manawatu¯ is a region rich with creativity, innovation and talented people, and it’s time we started sharing and celebrating more of these stories. Te Aho Ta¯ maka will help to put Manawatu¯ on a national and international stage by building a network of global leaders and ambassadors for our region.
I don’t think our community really realises how many influential and successful people have been shaped in some way by Manawatu¯ . And it’s something we should be proud of. We should talk about it, tell our children about them, we should learn from them, and we should celebrate what is possible.
By being involved, our leaders can recognise the region, people and experiences that helped shape their achievements and who they are today. For those leaders who have said yes to being involved, we asked what their time in Manawatu¯ meant to them.
Spark chief executive Simon Moutter says growing up in Palmerston North allowed him to rub shoulders with people from all walks of life, which helped to shape his approach to leadership and determination to chase big dreams.
For Linda Jenkinson, one of New Zealand’s most successful businesswomen, it was her rural upbringing on a farm in Hiwinui and learning from her father in his many ventures that helped her to learn how to build and scale-up businesses around the world.
And Gerard Gilliespie says he and his brother could not have found a better place to begin Ezibuy. He describes Manawatu¯ ’s central location as a great place for distribution and logistics and the region’s strong family culture became a big part of what their business was about.
Other great achievers who have said yes to being involved include Steve Maharey, former Labour MP for Palmerston North and vice-chancellor of Massey University; Colonel Helen Cooper, deputy chief of Army and president of the International Association of Peace Keeping Training Centres; Robin Stalker, former chief financial officer of Adidas Global; Sir Brian Elwood, former lawyer, politician, and mayor of Palmerston North and chief ombudsman; and Sir David Moxon, New Zealand Anglican bishop. This list will continue to grow and the programme will evolve as more leaders become involved.
Te Aho Ta¯ maka is a first of its kind in New Zealand and its meaning is integral to what the programme is about.
Ta¯ maka means distinguished leaders and Te Aho Ta¯ maka is symbolised by round cord representing whakapapa, a connection to the region and the people; whakanui, which means to celebrate individual and collective success; whakamana, to empower, enable and endorse; and whakaawe, to influence, develop and grow.
We will continue to work with our community to find and connect with the great achievers and invite them to become involved with the programme. This is just the beginning and this unique project is something we can have collective pride in. I encourage you to visit Manawatunz.co.nz to learn more about each leader and their backgrounds.
Linda Stewart is the Chief Executive of the Central Economic Development Agency