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 and Sealord Group. 

Previous roles include the Chair of Ngati Porou Seafoods and Aotearoa Fisheries, 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. 

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 to be one of the highlights.