Media Statement
For immediate release Wednesday, 28 February 2007
Mori Language Commission appoints woman to top job
In keeping with the rise of women to senior positions, Te Taura Whiri i te reo Mori the Mori Language Commission today
announced Huhana Rokx as it's first female chief executive.
"There were 14 high calibre applicants for the position, three were interviewed with very little difference between
them," said Toihau - Mori Language Commissioner Erima Henare.
"It was her strong management and administrative experience and background coupled with a certain x-factor required by
leaders in this type of position that distinguished Huhana," said Mr Henare.
"She also has excellent relationship building skills, a key component required by the Commission.
"Huhana hails from Te Arawa, Ngti Porou, Ngti Awa and Ngti Maniapoto iwi and will utilise the support of board members
when speaking in some areas around the motu," he said.
"The board, management and staff look forward to welcoming Huhana and hearing her vision for te reo and sharing that
with language stakeholders," said Mr Henare.
Huhana has an extensive background in education, including working over 10 years in senior education management in
Government. She is currently General Manager of the Mori-medium publishing team at Te Pou Taki Krero Learning Media
Limited and is set to join the Commission at the end of April.
"I have a personal interest in ensuring that the Mori language continues to flourish and that all New Zealanders come to
appreciate its beauty and uniqueness", said Huhana Rokx the next Chief Executive of Te Taura Whiri.
"I raised my own children to speak Mori and though this journey has been over 20 years in the making, as a whnau we
continue to seek the environment outside of our home and marae where our speaking together in Mori is able to happen
naturally and comfortably," said Ms Rokx.
"I welcome the opportunity to put my senior management skills to work to develop systems and processes that support the
achievement of the goals of the Commission. This will require a keen focus on how we develop our business priorities,
and how we monitor ourselves as we carry out those priorities.
"I see the role of the Commission, as the vehicle to move the nation toward recognising the Mori language for the
benefits it offers the country as a whole," said Ms Rokx.
ENDS