Henare Walker appointed as new CE of Ngati Porou Holdings
Posted on December 15 2022,
Ngati Porou Holding Company (Holdco) is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Chief Executive Officer, Henare Walker.
Henare (Ngai Tane, Hinerupe ki Waiapu, Ngati Rangi, Te Aitanga-a-Mate, Te Whanau a Hinekehu) is an experienced chartered accountant, who has been employed as the General Manager of Summit Forests, a subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation Japan. As General Manager, Henare was responsible for managing the company’s operations, which included the annual harvest of 600,000 tonnes from its forest estate.
Henare grew up on Maraehara Road in Rangitukia and is the son of George and Dolly Walker (nee Raroa). He attended Tapere-Nui-a-Whatonga and Ngata Memorial College, and went to Gisborne Boys High to finish his education. Before he finished school he joined the Navy, and later had the opportunity through the Navy to study accounting and finance at the University of Otago.
Henare brings to Holdco commercial and investment experience, which are essential skills for creating opportunities for Ngati Porou growth. He is very familiar with the business ventures of Holdco, as he has been a director of the Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou (TRONPnui) commercial subsidiary since April 2021.
Chair of Holdco, Sir Robert McLeod says, “The board is looking forward to welcoming Henare back home and working closely with him to lead Ngati Porou Holding Company through our next phase.”
Henare will serve out his notice to his current employer before taking up his new position with Holdco. The search for his replacement on the Holdco board will begin shortly.
Henare succeeds Shayne Walker who was appointed as the first dedicated CEO of Holdco in May 2020.
Sir Robert McLeod says Shayne’s appointment represented a new chapter for the group at the time.
“Shayne brought about a strategic focus on direct investment opportunities, to grow jobs and support commercial opportunities for our people.”
Shayne will finish in November and is heading home to be by his whanau, back in Hastings.
Shayne has ‘very much enjoyed my time with Ngati Porou in advancing the economic viability of the Iwi’.
Chief Operations Officer, Wayne Panapa will also be leaving Holdco at the end of this year to take up the Chief Financial Officer position with his own iwi, Ngati Maniapoto.
“I’ll cherish all the friendship and connections I’ve made during my time at TRONPnui and Holdco but also excited to be heading home with the knowledge and experience gained from serving Ngati Porou” , Mr Panapa said.
Wayne joined TRONPnui in 2017 as the Chief Financial Officer and General Manager of Corporate Services before being appointed to Holdco in 2021.
Sir Robert McLeod says both Shayne and Wayne have contributed greatly to the efficient and productive operations of Holdco.
“We thank them both for their contributions to Ngati Porou and wish them well.”