People

The Right Reverend Kitohi Pikaahu

Chair

Bishop Kito (whakapapa) is Te Pīhopa o tēnei wā Te Pīhopatanga o Te Tai Tokerau | the current Bishop of Te Tai Tokerau Diocese. The Bishop has significant governance experience serving on a large number of Boards and Committees within the Anglican Church.

In respect to education, the Bishop is the Deputy Chairman of Te Kotahitanga: a Standing Commission of the General Synod charged with the responsibility to oversee education initiatives within the Anglican Church. He is also a past member of the Board of Trustees of Epsom Girls Grammar School and has previously held roles on the Academic Board, Te Whare Wānanga o Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa, the Board of Studies, Anglican Studies Programme, St John’s College and acted as a Moderator for Academic Board of Atuatanga and Minitatanga.

Karleen Everitt

Deputy Chair

Karleen Everitt (Te Aupouri, Ngāpuhi-Nui-Tonu ) is a highly accomplished individual who holds a Masters in Management from the University of Auckland. In June 2021, she was appointed as the Kaitohu Rautaki Maori Head of Te Ao Maori Strategy ANZ, a position that highlights her expertise and leadership in the field. Before this appointment, Karleen successfully ran her own company, Manaaki Solutions Ltd, which she founded in 2006. Notably, she made history as the first wāhine and Māori to be appointed as the Chair to Northland’s Regional Economic Development Agency, Northland Inc. Throughout her career, Karleen has held numerous governance roles, showcasing her ability to serve both Māori and non-Māori entities. A true advocate for social and economic opportunities, Karleen is particularly passionate about empowering wāhine and women to forge their own paths, both locally and internationally.

She is proud to be the Deputy Chair of the St Stephen’s and Queen Victoria Schools Trust Board, elected in 2018.
Elected in 2018, Karleen is proud to serve as Deputy Chair of the St Stephen’s and Queen Victoria Schools Trust Board.

Keringawai Evans

Trustee

Keringawai (whakapapa) works for Te Puni Kōkiri (Ministry of Māori Development) as Kaiwhakarite, and has held a number of governance roles, including: a Trustee of Te Hauora o te Hiku o te Ika, President of Hāpaitia Māori Women’s Welfare League Branch, as well as being a General Synod Representative for Te Hui Amorangi o Te Tai Tokerau.

In respect to education, under the umbrella of her role as Kaiwhakarite at Te Puni Kōkiri, Keringawai assists whānau, hapū, iwi, Māori organisations and Māori communities to develop and implement initiatives that will enable them to realise their potential in areas of leadership (whakamana), knowledge (mātauranga) and rawa (development of resources). This role also sees her working alongside government agencies, non-government organisations and providers to assist Māori in improving their overall quality of life.

In the past, Keringawai has coordinated Kaupapa Waka activities and events for rangatahi and has been a Lecturer/Tutor in Small Business Management.

Bernard Te Paa

Trustee

Bernard is a Senior Executive Manager with over 25 years of experience working in health, local and central government, tertiary education, and iwi. Bernard’s primary focus has been to drive improved health, social and economic outcomes for Māori and those communities who experience disparities.

Within his present role as Group Manager, Māori Crown Relations at the Ministry of Heath, he works with Iwi, Waitangi tribunal claimants and health entities to ensure whānau are involved in the design, delivery, and monitoring of health services as part of the new health system. He was integrally involved in the design of the new health system including the standing up of Te Aka Whai Ora (Māori Health Authority), Te Whatu Ora, and the development of Iwi Māori Partnership Boards. Prior to this role Bernard has worked at various District Health Boards, Te Wananga o Aotearoa (as the regional director) and Auckland Council.

Outside of mahi Bernard has been involved in governance roles across health, sports and education having been a Board member on the New Zealand Māori Rugby Board, Chairman of the Hato Paora Trust Board and Deputy Chairman of the Mental Health Foundation. This has provided him with a broad governance experience across the private and public sector, that he is able to bring to the St Stephens and Queen Victoria Trust Board.

Agnes Naera

Trustee

Agnes, who is of Ngā Puhi and Ngāti Raukawa descent, assumed the position of Global Women CEO in 2020. She recognized the potential of the pandemic disruption and took the opportunity to guide Global Women towards a more equitable Aotearoa, New Zealand. Agnes actively cultivated a dynamic environment by collaborating with like-minded individuals, organizations, and communities who shared the vision and determination to drive the desired change.

Agnes’ professional career has spanned more than 20 years in the tertiary sector, of which a core focus of her’s has been the advancement of Māori and Pacific aspirations. She also has over ten years’ governance experience sitting as a Trustee on not-for-profit boards.

Sir Selwyn Parata

Trustee

Sir Selwyn Parata was born in Waipiro Bay and the oldest child of Ron Parata and Hiria Reedy. Sir Selwyn affiliates to Ngāi Tahu through his father and is of Ngāti Porou descent on his mother’s side, he is currently serves as Pouwhakahaere at Te Puni Kōkiri (Ministry of Māori Development) in Tairāwhiti | Gisborne, having previously held a number of senior roles in the community and education sectors. Sir Selwyn Parata, recently Knighted, is humbled and elated by his Knighthood in recognition of his services to Māori.

Selwyn has a vast experience in governance, holding roles such as: Chairman and Trustee Hiruharama Pā, Chairman and Trustee Whareponga Pā, Deputy Chairman of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Porou, Chairman of Hikurangi Māori Pastorate, Trustee of Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa, Trustee of Te Pīhopatanga o Te Tairāwhiti, Member of General Synod Te Pīhopatanga o Te Tairāwhiti, Chairman Pākihiroa Farms Ltd Waitangi A1A2 Land Block, Trustee of Wharekahika A25 Land Block, Chairman of Radio Ngāti Porou, Director of Ngāti Porou Whānui Forests Ltd, Chairman of Pohutu Stn, Chairman of Te Matatini Trustee Tūhono Trust, Trustee of Tairāwhiti Cultural Development Trust, former Deputy Chairman of East Coast Rugby Union, former elected member of The Waiapu Hospital Board, former Chairman of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Po Ngāti Porou, former member of Te Kōhanga Reo o Hiruhārama, and Treasurer of the Ngāti Porou Rohe.