Skip Content
Nepai Winiata

Te Wānanga o Aotearoa is pleased to announce the appointment of Nepia Winiata (Ngāti Raukawa) as chief executive.

Te Wānanga o Aotearoa chairperson Vanessa Eparaima said she was grateful to be able to appoint someone with Mr Winiata’s experience, knowledge and understanding of the organisation into the role.

Nepia has been acting chief executive for almost a year, was deputy chief executive for five years and has held several senior leadership roles across Te Wānanga o Aotearoa for more than 12 years.

Mrs Eparaima said that while Te Mana Whakahaere were impressed by the high calibre of the candidates who applied to lead the organisation, Nepia’s experience, his considered and decisive leadership through the many challenges and disruptions due to COVID-19 in recent years, and his deep understanding and passion for Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and its purpose, ensured that he was the successful candidate.

“Nepia has shown outstanding leadership through recent exceptional disruption and uncertainty ensuring business continuity for Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, in what has been a difficult time for all across Aotearoa.

“His strong commitment to our kaupapa (purpose) means ongoing stability for our organisation and consistency for our kaimahi (staff). Nepia remains focused on the quality of our offerings and all that we do, while also bringing fresh ideas and vision to seek out new opportunities.” 

Te Wānanga o Aotearoa is among New Zealand’s largest tertiary education providers with more than 20,000 full-time tauira (students) and more than 1500 kaimahi across 80 sites throughout the country.

Nepia brings more than 30 years of experience across the education, corporate, finance and processing sectors to his role.

“I’m very humbled and grateful to be appointed to the role, and I’m excited to take this opportunity and continue to further advance the aspirations of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa,” said Mr Winiata.

“Te Wānanga o Aotearoa has made education accessible to all New Zealanders for many years and I’m focused on ensuring we continue to deliver on our promise of quality programmes and quality educational outcomes for our tauira.”

Mrs Eparaima said Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, which provides education from certificate to master’s level and delivers more than 60 per cent of all te reo Māori education in the tertiary sector, was excited by the skills and experience Mr Winiata brings to the role.

“Te Wānanga o Aotearoa plays a key role in lifting Māori participation and qualifications in te reo Māori and we’re enhancing all our programmes and educational delivery. We’re focused on quality teaching, digital learning and are excited about new possibilities in the vocational education space.

“We have a major role to play in increasing vocational training opportunities to learners, and especially to Māori. Nepia is committed to ensuring we achieve our potential in this arena, and we look forward to continuing our momentum with this kaupapa under his leadership.”Mr Winiata began his new role as chief executive this week.

 Back to news & events

Published On: 18 February, 2022

Article By: Tracey Cooper



Other Articles

  • 08 October 2025

    From paddling to politics: a journey for reo, rights and representation

    Bevan O’Connor’s journey from waka ama to the political stage is powered by his passion for te reo Māori and Māori rights. Discover how his studies at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and deep connection to te ao Māori are shaping his campaign for the Takitimu Māori Ward.

  • 23 September 2025

    HRC Maternal Health Inequity Report

    New research led by Dr Sarah Lockwood highlights critical gaps in maternity care during Cyclone Gabrielle, urging the Government to include midwifery and Māori leadership in emergency planning. The report calls for equity-focused reforms to protect pregnant women and whānau in climate crises.

  • 18 September 2025

    From Wānanga baby to Wānanga tauira

    Ripekka Matthews’ lifelong connection to Te Wānanga o Aotearoa began as a child and continues today through her te reo Māori studies. Discover how her journey from wānanga baby to tauira reflects whānau legacy, cultural identity, and the transformative power of education.

  • 05 September 2025

    Cooking up confidence in te reo Māori

    Āku Hapa! is a reo Māori cooking show created by Te Wānanga o Aotearoa tauira, blending kai, kōrero, and comedy. Streaming on Māori+, this series celebrates learning te reo through laughter, mistakes, and whānau connection - one delicious dish at a time.