Hākopa Ashdown (Te Aupōuri, Ngai Takoto, Ngāti Kahu) has been selected as the 2025 New Zealand Harness Fellow, receiving a prestigious research residency at the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, Harvard Kennedy School in the United States of America.
Published: Friday, 18 July 2025 | Rāmere, 18 Hōngongoi, 2025
Hākopa, who joined Te Puni Kōkiri in the Māori Housing team, has been seconded to the Minister’s office as a Private Secretary since March 2024. During his time at Te Puni Kōkiri, Hākopa has worked on significant pieces of work, including the National Direction on Papakāinga, and Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga.
Hākopa has a long history of leadership in government, community and iwi, having previously undertaken fellowships with the United Nations, sat on boards for Ngā Taonga o Ngaitakotako and the Health Research Council of New Zealand, advised Te Runanga a Iwi o Ngāti Kahu, and acted as kaikōrero on his marae, and in his role at Te Puni Kōkiri.
Hākopa is keen to develop the tools to lead in the Public Service, while contributing to his own iwi and community development in the Far North. The Fellowship will enable him to undertake a research project, Lessons Learned from the United States - Indigenous Economic Growth and Development in Underserved Communities, where he will examine successful US policies and initiatives that have accelerated economic growth for indigenous and economically disadvantaged communities.
As part of the Fellowship, Hākopa will complete a policy brief that will look at how these initiatives can be adapted to Māori communities, which supports Te Puni Kōkiri’s strategic priority area – Māori Economic Development and Growth and advances the government’s ‘Going for Growth’ agenda.
“His project promises to deliver real impact for Māori and for all New Zealanders, and we are delighted to support his journey,” says Secretary for Māori Development Dave Samuels.
“We are very proud of Hākopa and wish him well for his time at Harvard. We look forward to following his work on community-led solutions and economic growth.”
The Harkness Fellowships, administered in partnership with the Leadership Development Centre at Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission, are among New Zealand’s most esteemed international awards for public sector leaders. They aim to foster leadership, innovation, and the exchange of ideas between New Zealand and the US.
Hākopa joins a prestigious line of Māori leaders who have been awarded the Fellowship, including Kara Puketapu, Whaimutu Dewes, Pauline Kingi, Hon Shane Jones, Hon Dr Shane Reti, Doug Jones, Peter Douglas, Anake Goodall, and Chief Judge Dr Caren Fox.
Find out more about Harkness Fellowships here: www.harkness.org.nz