With new developments on the horizon, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa has made two appointments to its property team – skilled property professionals with experience across Aotearoa and overseas.

Having recently returned to Aotearoa from the UK, Clare Mandeno joins the Whai Rawa property team as an Assistant Development Manager, bringing fifteen years of industry experience on both a global and local scale to the newly created role. Clare has helped to complete the final stages of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei’s Kāinga Kaumātua project, 10 purpose-built homes co-designed by the hapū kaumātua (elders), and will be primarily focused on Oneoneroa, a commercial residential development on Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s North Shore.  

Brandon Morley joins the property team, having previously worked in the private development sector on large scale properties across numerous locations in Aotearoa. With eight years of experience in the industry, Brandon will take on the role of Senior Development Manager focusing on the delivery of homes on land in Owairaka Mount Albert near UNITEC campus along with other new development opportunities for the hapū.

Neil Donnelly, General Manager of Property for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa, says both Clare’s and Brandon’s appointments are exciting additions to the rapidly expanding property team during a time when there are major projects underway and planned.

“Clare’s background in a broad range of property development projects, will be crucial to the work she will be a part of here at Whai Rawa. Having already been involved with successful projects across both commercial and community developments overseas, we’re pleased for Clare to bring that expertise to the team.

“Similarly, the experience Brandon has in large scale land development projects, involving the purchasing, consenting and delivery of town centre developments and residential housing subdivisions will be a great asset for the Whai Rawa property team, particularly as we look to develop the blocks of land owned by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei near the UNITEC campus,” says Neil.

On her appointment, Clare says she is passionate about getting to work for an organisation that puts the prosperity of its hapū members first.

“The fact that success for Whai Rawa means prosperity for whānau members and positive community outcomes is a large motivation for me in this role,” says Clare.

Brandon is looking forward to joining the Whai Rawa team and getting started on the development near UNITEC.

“Working for an organisation that is focused on sustaining and growing commercial outcomes for the hapū and Tāmaki Makaurau as a whole is a great motivator.

“I’m excited to apply my knowledge from previous experiences to all current developments and new opportunities, and to share a different perspective for the purpose of achieving the optimal outcome for Whai Rawa,” says Brandon.

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa, the commercial arm of the Tāmaki Makaurau hapū, is one of the largest landowners in Tāmaki Makaurau with a $1.5 billion commercial portfolio.  The organisation is charged with managing and growing its revenue streams to deliver strong returns for the benefit of its hapū.