Large canvas for visionary
Ruma Karaitiana has had little chance to put his feet up since returning to Palmerston North. Two years ago, he left a 60-houra-week position as chief executive of the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation in Wellington to come home.
At 67, he deserves to slow down, but he’s had little chance. As well as resolving family business and moving into a remodelled home, Karaitiana is chairing iwi Rangita¯ ne’s commercial arm.
In a Treaty of Waitangi settlement two years ago, Rangita¯ ne received $13 million for past grievances. The money has been invested in areas including land purchases around the region.
A significant buy is the former Blair Tennent residential hall site at the top of Fitzherbert Ave. Rangita¯ ne is building a new Quest Hotel, with construction due to start early this year.
‘‘There are lots of motels in the city, but our research shows there are not enough hotels,’’ Karaitiana says. ‘‘The hotel will only occupy about a third of the site and we’re looking at the possibility of highdensity housing on the other part.’’
Karaitiana is also involved in Accelerate 25, an economic development scheme aiming to stimulate activity across Manawatu¯ Whanganui.
‘‘Our role is to find economic activity where we can be a broker between the Government and the business itself,’’ he says. ‘‘It’s wonderful finding people with little ideas that can be made big.’’
Karaitiana is also chairman of Education Services Limited, which sells financial and property
‘‘I like learning and trying new things.’’ Ruma Karaitiana
Blue Smoke, his time in the classroom was brief, he has served on school committees, the Queen Elizabeth College board, the Combined Board of Governors and the UCOL Council.
For three-year periods he was a kitchen designer for Rickstan, he sold stereos throughout New Zealand for Audio Lab and headed the Enterprise Board, which brought a variety of city council and wider agencies together.
His job was to create harmony and function leading to their amalgamation as Vision Manawatu.
Again for three-year periods, Karaitiana was chief executive of Enable New Zealand, a senior consultant for Third Bearing Ltd, boss of Sweetline, which moved foodstuffs into the main retail industry, and manager of PSIS finance and department store.
There were two occasions when the clock stopped.
Together with Isobel, his wife, and Brian and Josene Wenmoth, he bought and ran Stables Restaurant in the Grand Hotel building.
‘‘We were interested in wine and food,’’ Karaitiana says.
‘‘It was an exciting time and allowed us to meet and get to know people.’’
That relationship continued, when for 101⁄2 years, he was chief executive of of the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation.
‘‘At the heart of what I do is working with people. The privilege as CEO is coming up with big ideas and having a lot of people buying into them,’’ he says.