Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa adds property and business expertise to Board

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei welcomes two exceptional directors to the board of the commercial arm of the hapū, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa.

The Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust has appointed property development and construction veteran Chris Gudgeon and experienced business executive and director Jim Quinn to its subsidiary, the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa board.

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa is one of the largest landowners in Tāmaki Makaurau with a $1.3 billion commercial portfolio.  The organisation is charged with managing and growing its revenue streams to deliver strong returns for the benefit of its hapū and the board is chaired by one of New Zealand’s most respected directors, Michael Stiassny.

Chris Gudgeon is the former Chief Executive of Kiwi Property Group and Capital Properties NZ with more than 30 years’ experience in the property, development and construction sector. A current director of Crown Infrastructure Partners and Argosy Property, his extensive experience includes his past role as President of Property Council New Zealand.

Chris said the appointment fulfils a long-standing desire to be involved in what is arguably one of the fastest growing areas of the property sector, iwi owned and developed land.

“I look forward to working with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to grow their property portfolio and achieve their investment objectives. The portfolio's unique position within the strongly performing Tamaki Makaurau property market offers exciting opportunities both now and into the future.”  

Jim Quinn provides a wider business lens bringing with him significant knowledge on governance as current chair of Payments New Zealand, ComplyPro and SmartCo as well as chair and a shareholder in Tubman Heating among other director roles. His executive career included being the inaugural CEO of KiwiRail, Chief of Strategy at Auckland Council, and CEO of Express Couriers.

Jim says he is looking forward to using his experience to help grow the commercial strength of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.

“Iwi commercial interests are a vital and growing part of the economy of Aotearoa and I am honoured to have a role in the growth and guardianship of the commercial assets of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.”

The Trust Board Chair Marama Royal said the appointment of independent directors was led by the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust to help protect the assets of the hapū as well as to support a longer-term strategy to identify and bring on board other investments for broader and more diversified portfolio and revenue streams.

“We are pleased to bring Chris Gudgeon and Jim Quinn on board whose combined skillset will be instrumental to the growth of our commercial strength. As a hapū, we are committed to not only protecting but growing our asset base to support our members for generations to come.

“Over and above outstanding business expertise, we need board members who will place considerable importance on the understanding of tikanga Māori, our mātāpono (values) and a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi,” says Marama.

The appointments follow the passing of business stalwart and long-time director Sir Rob Fenwick and inaugural CEO and board member Rob Hutchinson.

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