New chair of Taranaki Māori business network appointed
Hayden Wano is the new chair of the He Toronga Pakihi ki Taranaki, the region’s Māori business network.
Wano (Taranaki, Te Atiawa, Ngāti Tama and Ngāti Awa) has served in numerous governance roles over the years and last year was made Companion of the Queen’s Service Order for his service to Māori health.
In a statement, the experienced leader, who retired last year from being Tui Ora chief executive, said he wanted to be part of an exciting post settlement phase.
“The prospects for us to contribute in a positive way economically and environmentally, is just sitting there and I want to be part of it,” he said.
Wano was also chair of Te Hiringa Mahara (The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission), deputy chair of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce and trustee of Te Kāhui o Taranaki Trust. “Specifically, I’m wanting to be involved more in the development of iwi Māori – that’s always been a big part of my career,” he said.
Wano said Māori have come through despairing times.
“Particularly the 19th century when there wasn’t a lot of hope for us – and here we are today.
“We’re not without our challenges ... but we find ourselves becoming more influential in wider society,” he said,
“The prospects for us to contribute in a positive way economically and environmentally, is just sitting there and I want to be part of it,” Hayden Wano
The network, based in Ngāmotu House, supported kaupapa Māori businesses and the many Māori in the region involved with business.
“This is a membership network organisation and there’s an opportunity for us to bring a way of strengthening those businesses by strengthening the networks through He Toronga Pakihi,” Wano said.
The network was created in 2020 and it was still in a fledgling state, he said, but it had enormous potential.
The network inaugural chair, Emere Wano, said her brother-in-law had the governance experience required for the job.
“He’s very well connected, not just in Taranaki but outside of Taranaki,” she said.
Miaana Patene, who has been part of the network board from the beginning and was the interim chair for the past seven months, said the board started a process of reviewing the organisation’s values, priorities, and strategies.
“It’s all about mana motuhake – doing things for ourselves.”