Regional Council appoints Te Kaha Hawaikirangi to new role

Updated 16/01/2023 with information about start date and the sharing of roles between Port of Napier and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has appointed Te Kaha Hawaikirangi to the newly created role of Kaihautu Putaiao, to support the recognition and expression of Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) in the Council’s work.

Pieri Munro, Te Pou Whakarae (Māori Partnerships Group Manager) says he’s pleased to welcome Te Kaha back to the Regional Council.

“Te Kaha has local whakapapa, and he is passionate about the cultural and environmental space. After leaving the Regional Council in 2019, he went to the Port of Napier where he supported the development and implementation of a ground-breaking Marine Cultural Monitoring Programme, a partnership with Mana Whenua Hapū.

This programme, incorporating Mātauranga Māori is an example of what we could employ alongside and complementary to Western science," says Mr Munro.

Te Kaha will start back with HBRC week commencing 30 January 2023 on a permanent part-time basis. He will work 2 days at Napier Port and 3 days at Council

“We’re mindful that Te Kaha’s appointment could be perceived as a conflict of interest given he is related to Regional Council Chair, Hinewai Ormsby. However, the Chair has had no involvement in the recruitment of Te Kaha.”

“The role was unfilled and there were no applicants when it was advertised in 2022.”

Te Kaha brings a range of skills, knowledge, and previous Council experience that makes him a great fit for this highly specialised role, says Mr Munro.
• Started at Regional Council as an Environmental Officer in June 2013. 
• Promoted to Project Manager of Environmental Hot Spots in 2018. 
• Seconded (50%) of his time working for the Maungaharuru Tangitū Trust to work on the Tutira Mai Ngā Iwi Project in 2016-2017.
• Resigned from Regional Council in 2019 to take up a role at Port of Napier as Pou Tikanga (cultural advisor) and Environmental Advisor
• Before working for the Regional Council, he worked for the Department of Conservation (DoC) for three years with experience in marine reserves, wetlands, freshwater, and forest lands. 
• Before DoC, he spent five years in the NZ Army.

For more on the marine cultural monitoring programme, please visit Launching the First Marine Cultural Health Programme of its kind in Aotearoa - Napier Port, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

 Arlene Crispin, Communications Advisor | E comms@hbrc.govt.nz | P 027 241 3345

30 March 2023

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