Te Mana Whakahaere

Council

Te Mana Whakahaere is the council that oversees Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.

Members of Te Mana Whakahaere are appointed for their ability to help Te Wānanga o Aotearoa fulfil its mission in alignment with the requirements of the Education and Training Act 2020.

The council consists of nine members. Three members are appointed by the Minister for Tertiary Education. Six are appointed by Te Mana Whakahaere in accordance with the Direct Appointment of Members to Te Mana Whakahaere Statute 2015, as amended or replaced from time to time.

Vanessa Eparaima

Vanessa Eparaima

Council Chair | Skills-based appointee

Raukawa, Ngāti Tuwharetoa

Vanessa moved back into the chair’s position in April 2021 after having previously served for a number of years as chair, then deputy chair for a period, helping lead the council through a busy time of change for Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.

View Vanessa Eparaima’s profile
Bryan Hemi

Bryan Hemi

Deputy Chair | Skills-based appointee

Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Kuia, Samoan

Bryan took up the deputy chair’s role again in April 2021 after having previously served as chair and, earlier, deputy chair.

View Bryan Hemi’s profile
Robert Gabel

Robert Gabel

Skills-based appointee

Ngāti Kahu, Te Rarawa, Te Paatu

A chartered accountant since the early 1970s, Robert provides financial, organisational management and taxation advice.

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Katie Bhreatnach

Katie Bhreatnach

Skills-based appointee

Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Whakaue

Katie is an experienced executive leader in the areas of business, strategic leadership, transformation, law and governance. Katie has undergraduate degrees in law and arts from the University of Otago and a masters degree from Trinity College in Dublin. Katie is also a member of the Institute of Directors.

View Katie Bhreatnach’s profile
Stephen Ruru

Stephen Ruru

Ministerial appointee

Raukawa, Ngāti Ranginui

Stephen is an experienced executive who has extensive experience across the local government and health sectors.

View Stephen Ruru’s profile
Jon Stokes

Jon Stokes

Ministerial appointee

Raukawa, Ngāti Maniapoto

Jon provides public relations, communications, risk and strategy advice and support.

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Jacinta Ruru

Jacinta Ruru

Skills-based appointee

Raukawa, Ngāti Ranginui

Prof. Ruru is Aotearoa’s first Māori Law Professor, one of our leading Māori legal scholars and last year became a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori and the Law.

View Jacinta Ruru’s profile
Turi Ngatai

Turi Ngatai

Ministerial appointee

Ngaiterangi, Ngāti Ranginui

Turi is Deputy Chairman of the Ngaiterangi Runanga and Settlement Trust and is an experienced director.

View Turi Ngatai's profile

Contact Council

Email Terri Tong – Council Secretary – at Terri.Tong@twoa.ac.nz

Phone 0800 355 553 from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

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