Trustees
HON TAMA POTAKA
Tama Potaka is from Mōkai Pātea, Whanganui, Taranaki, and surrounding Iwi of Te Tai Hauāuru and Te Kāhui Maunga.
He is he Minister for Māori Development, Minister for Whānau Ora, Minister of Conservation, Minister for Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti, and Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing). He is the MP for Hamilton West.
Prior to entering politics in the 2022 Hamilton West byelection, Tama was the chief executive of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki.
He has been a senior advisor to the NZ Super Fund and served as general manager at Tainui Group Holdings in Hamilton. He is married to Ariana and thy have three tamariki (Tiaria, Te Awarua and Aorangi).
Tama has a Bachelor of Arts (Māori Studies, Political Science) and a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) from Victoria University and a Master of Laws from Columbia University.
HON TODD McCLAY
Todd McClay is the Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Forestry, Minister for Hunting and Fishing, Minister for Trade, and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs. He has been the MP for Rotorua since 2008.
Todd held several Ministerial roles in the Fifth National Government with portfolios including Trade, State-Owned Enterprises and Revenue.
Todd has previously been a diplomat and was the Cook Islands and Nuie Ambassador to the European Union. He has worked in business in Europe as well as government and public relations internationally.
DAVE SAMUELS - SECRETARY FOR MĀORI DEVELOPMENT AT TE PUNI KŌKIRI
Waikato-Tainui, Te Whakatōhea
Dave (David) Tokohau Samuels is a seasoned public service leader with strong ties to iwi, hapū and whānau Māori. He is the Secretary for Māori Development.
After working in the international arena for the past five years growing trade and market access in New Zealand’s primary industries in the Middle East and Asia, Dave has returned home to lead Te Puni Kōkiri.
He has a strong background in policy and economic development including leading the Policy unit at Te Puni Kōkiri from 2005-2012. During his time as the Policy Director, he led successful initiatives to bolster Māori economic and business development and the development of the Māori Economic Strategy and Action Plan “He kai kei aku ringa” which was released in 2012.
His career began as an infantry officer in the New Zealand Army. Years later, Dave attained a Master of Philosophy (Humanities and Social Sciences) in Defence and Strategic Studies from Massey University and a Master of Public Administration degree (with Merit) from Victoria University of Wellington.
Contact Info
Ahuwhenua Trophy Office 6.3 Level 6, Berl House 108 The Terrace
info@ahuwhenuatrophy.maori.nz