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Meet our team Te Tira O Tūaropaki

Working hard to serve our Owners, the people of the Trust are key in our success. These are the teams working for you behind the scenes.

Our Governance & Trustees Team Te Tira Hautū me ngā Pou Tarahiti

The Trust Order requires the Trustees to administer the Tūaropaki E lands for the benefit of the beneficial owners.

Tuaropaki 0008 Gina Rangi

Gina Rangi

Chair

Governance & Trustees Team

Gina is an experienced lawyer specialising in Māori governance, Māori land and resource management law.

Tuaropaki 0010 Jamie Ataria

James Ataria

Deputy Chair

Governance & Trustees Team

Jamie holds a PhD in ecotoxicology and is an Adjunct Associate Professor at Lincoln University.

Tuaropaki 0005 Leigh Bason

Leigh Bason

Trustee

Governance & Trustees Team

Leigh has been a farmer all his working life. He, and wife Kora, are proud parents of 6, grandparents to 17.

Tuaropaki 0009 Vanessa Eparaima

Vanessa Eparaima

Trustee

Governance & Trustees Team

Vanessa is a business consultant, company director and former chief executive in the tourism sector.

Tuaropaki 0007 Nachelle (charlie) Griffiths

Nachelle Griffiths

Trustee

Governance & Trustees Team

Nachelle, known to whānau as Charlie, has almost 20 years’ experience as a chair and board member.

Tuaropaki 0006 Debbie Birch

Debbie Birch

Responsible Trustee

Governance & Trustees Team

Debbie is a full-time professional director and trustee with more than 30 years’ senior executive experience.

Our Executive Leadership Team Te Tira Whakahaere

The professionals involved in the day to day running of the Trust assets, operations and services.

Tuaropaki Kia Zia

Kia Zia

CEO

Executive Leadership Team

A seasoned leader with a diverse background spanning top- tier companies

Tuaropaki Tahana

Tahana Tippett-Tapsell

General Manager - Culture and Legacy

Executive Leadership Team

Well-versed in financial and strategic management, Tahana's dedication to cultural revitalisation makes him uniquely qualified to lead initiatives that strengthen ties to our Owners and empower future generations.

Tuaropaki Jimmy

Jimmy Zhou

CSIO - Chief Strategy and Investment Officer

Executive Leadership Team

Jimmy has worked in an investment advisory capacity for over 15 years.

Tuaropaki Viv

Viv Bull

Interim Organisational Development Consultant

Executive Leadership Team

With over two decades in culture and organizational development.

Tuaropaki Spence

Spence McClintock

COO - Chief Operating Officer

Executive Leadership Team

An Experience operations leader with a track record of creating value.

Our Owner Services Team Te Tira Ratonga Uri

The Owner Services team handles the day-to-day tasks around the Owner’s Register, distributions, facilitation of grants and much more.

Maraina Hunia

Maraina Hunia

Owner Services Advisor

Owner Services Team

Maraina is a long serving Trust employee with years of experience in assisting and advising Owners.

Ebony Paaka

Ebony Paaka

Owner Services Assistant

Owner Services Team

Ebony has been a hard-working and adaptable member of the Owner Services team since August 2022.

interested in working with us? Ngā Tūranga Wātea

Interested in working as part of a dynamic organisation that offers exciting roles?

With Tūaropaki Trust always growing, we are constantly on the look out for new team members across our many business ventures. Get in touch to find out what openings we have available.

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Our History Te Hītori

Established in the 1950s, the Trust has endured seven decades in these rapidly changing times. Take a look back at the history of Tūaropaki.

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Need Help? He pātai tonu tāu

Contact the Owner Services team for assistance completing succession applications and noting succession orders as well as facilitation of our grants, as well as any other queries about the Owner’s register, distributions and unclaimed monies.

ABOUT TUAROPAKI Trust Mō Tūaropaki

From humble beginnings in the 1950s, Tūaropaki Trust has grown to be a is a Māori land organisation with an asset base of over $1 billion, with a diverse business portfolio.

frequently asked questions Pātai Auau

Find answers to common questions about the Trust’s operations and how owners can access services.

Still have questions?

If you still have unanswered questions, feel free to reach out to us. We’re here to help!