Whaimutu Dewes
"E noho koe ki te ngaki i nga werawera a o matua tipuna
mo nga uri whakatipu".
Whaimutu Dewes, of Ngati Porou and Ngati Rangitihi descent, is constantly reminded of the strictures of his elders to realise the aspirations of the people for the generations that follow has an intense interest in the role of economics and governance in New Zealand and Maori economic development.
He is Chairman of Ngati Porou Forests Group, a member of Taumata Maori (Adjunct to Sport NZ Ihi Aoteroa).
Previous governance roles include the Chair of Ngati Porou Seafoods, Aoteroa Fisheries and Sealord, and directorships of Contact Energy, Ngati Porou Holding Company, Housing New Zealand, Television New Zealand and the Advisory Board to the Treasury and to AMP.
Whaimutu has worked for the departments of Justice (legislation formulation) and Maori Affairs (general counsel) for 10 years in the legal section and 5 years with Fletcher Challenge in business development. He has also been in the establishment and a member of the boards of Te Runanga o Ngati Porou and Te Ohu Kai Moana.
A strong advocate of the revitalisation of te reo Maori, Whaimutu regards the fact he and his wife Judy have raised their children to be fluent in the Maori and English languages and to see that continued with their mokopuna to be one of their life highlights.
