Ngati Whatua Orakei Chief Executive Calls Time

News Release
For immediate release
April 27, 2012

Ngati Whatua Orakei Chief Executive Calls Time

After 14 years as Chief Executive of the Ngati Whatua o Orakei Maori Trust Board, Tiwana Tibble has decided the time is right to move on. As one of the most successful chief executives in New Zealand, group equity under his tenure has grown from $30m to $300m, Mr Tibble has completed a number of big projects for Orakei that are coming to fruition this year. There is a logic to the timing of his decision he says.

Mr Tibble has driven the WAI 388 Treaty of Waitangi settlement which is nearing completion, and the preparation for taking over ground rents and managing the cash flowing from the Ngati Whatua Orakei land at Quay Park. He has also been involved in the overall restructure of the Trust Board to a Post Settlement Governance Entity capable of driving improvements in health, housing, education and strengthening cultural understanding for the people of Orakei.

Tiwana Tibble is a chartered accountant with a bachelors degree and post graduate qualifications from Massey University. He is recognised for his deep experience and expertise in Maori commercial investment over the past 22 years, having previously been company secretary and CFO for the Maori Development Corporation. His specialty has been commercial leasehold property development, particularly in joint ventures.

When he took over as chief executive, Ngati Whatua Orakei had a number of undeveloped sites. At the point he leaves his post, Ngati Whatua has around $400 million in assets mainly in commercial property and retirement villages, and a further $120 million in assets contained in the WAI 388 settlement. Equally important, he has completed a number of cultural, papakainga housing and school investment projects.

“I want to acknowledge the five successive Trust Boards and their advisers who were equally important in the success we have built. You always want to leave a position better than how you found it and I believe we can all enjoy that satisfaction."

Ngati Whatua o Orakei Maori Trust Board Chairman Grant Hawke says Ngati Whatua Orakei owes Tiwana a great debt of gratitude.

“He took us from a time when we had nothing to a place that is filled with opportunity and potential. He created discipline in our decision making and achieved enormous growth in asset base. He did this with great humility.

“Tiwana is Ngati Porou, Ngati Tuwharetoa and Ngati Raukawa and I would also say thank you to those iwi for allowing us to have Tiwana with us. He is highly regarded within your iwi as he is within Ngati Whatua.”

Mr Tibble is on the board of directors of Radio New Zealand and is planning to now focus on governance roles as well as personal interests.

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