Two new committees have been established to provide a kaumātua perspective and a kaimahi voice at the senior leadership level of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, with the aim of strengthening the performance of our organisation. 

The two new committees are named Te Taumata Kaumātua and Te Muka Kaimahi. 

Te Taumata Kaumātua will guide Te Taiurungi, Dr Jim Mather, on specific cultural matters relevant to Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and will meet at least quarterly. It will provide guidance and advice on emerging issues and support with managing relationships with Māori entities and other key stakeholders. 

Mita Te Hae, the former chairman of Te Kahui Amorangi, which was dissolved in 2014, will be a member of the new committee and will provide a link and transition of knowledge from one to the other. Te Taumata Kaumātua will also include two kaumātua appointed by Te Taiurungi as well as three kaumātua representatives from each of our takiwā - Te Ihu, Te Waenga and Te Kei.  

Te Muka Kaimahi is a staff forum that also reports directly to Te Taiurungi to ensure that the ‘kaimahi voice’ is conveyed to both Ngā Tumu and Te Mana Whakahaere. The committee’s function includes acting as a ‘sounding board’, sharing kaimahi views and providing feedback on organisational progress. 

Te Muka Kaimahi will consist of Te Taiurungi, two kaimahi nominated by each takiwā director, and one representing Te Puna Mātauranga. It will meet bi-monthly. 

It is planned that both new committees will have their inaugural meetings in February 2017.