15 June 2018
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust has today announced that Jamie Sinclair has been appointed as its inaugural Chief Executive
Officer. Mr Sinclair has worked with the hapū for the last three years as Deputy Chief Executive of its development arm,
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Maia. He will take up his new role on 6 August 2018.
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust Chair Marama Royal says the Trust is pleased to have secured Mr Sinclair as its CEO.
“This role is a new and an exciting step for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. We are very happy to have Jamie take this new role
on,” Mrs Royal says.
“Jamie knows our business and he knows our whānau. We are looking forward to having him assist the Trust in delivering
on our strategic plan and direction for the future of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.”
Mr Sinclair says he feels privileged to serve as the Trust’s inaugural CEO.
“This is a time of real progress for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, with a number of new developments happening commercially and
within our social enterprise.
“I feel privileged to be in a position where I can help the Trust realise its vision for the people of Ngāti Whātua
Ōrākei, which in turn will benefit wider Tāmaki Makaurau.”
Mr Sinclair has a background in strategy development, risk management, finance and change management. Before joining the
Trust, he worked as a Director for KPMG, ran his own business advisory practice, and served as co-chair of the
Sustainable Business Network. He also spent two years working in the United Kingdom in a change management role.
Mr Sinclair’s initial focus will be on establishing new systems to empower the Trust in delivering its strategic vision.
He will also be tasked with ensuring the hapū Treaty rights are protected and will lead work in developing and
strengthening relationships with national and local authorities.
“I’m excited about continuing the work of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei in developing opportunities for housing whānau and
initiatives that will have a direct and positive impact on their lives. A key to that is communication and how we
connect with the people. Communications and transparency are really important,” Mr Sinclair says.
The Trust has recently introduced a health insurance scheme and a savings programme for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei members, and
Mr Sinclair says he looks forward to exploring new avenues in innovation.
“Innovation is ripe for more Māori involvement, and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei is certainly no stranger to that space. As CEO,
I look forward to us finding new ways of connecting with the hapū and lifting the whānau to reach their aspirations.”
ENDS