New Te Puni Kōkiri Chief Executive Michelle Hippolite was welcomed to her tari today.

Around 300 manuhiri and staff packed out the Nau Mai room for the pōwhiri. The whānau whanui from Te Papa Tongarewa accompanied Michelle, as well as her Waikato, Rongowhakaata and Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki iwi.

Biography of Michelle Hippolite

Te Puni Kōkiri staff welcomed incoming chief executive Michelle Hippolite to the ministry’s Wellington head office today.

Of Waikato, Rongowhakaata and Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki whakapapa, Michelle comes to Te Puni Kōkiri after more than four years as Kaihautū at Te Papa Tongarewa. During her tenure there, and while acting as the Chief Executive, she led approximately 350 staff and 150 casual employees and was responsible for managing the operational and capital budget of approximately $42 million per annum.

She has developed international relationships culminating in exhibitions being presented in Europe and North America and the repatriation of kōiwi tangata and toi moko from around the world.

Michelle has held senior roles in the Public Service and wider State sector. A career highlight was providing leadership for the government's Māori Language Strategy and the establishment of the Māori Television Service.

As Principal Adviser at the Office of Treaty Settlements, Michelle was instrumental in advancing negotiations in the Far North. She also led changes to cultural redress policies relating to conservation land.

Ms Hippolite currently holds a number of board memberships and directorships. She is the Chair of Te Kura Māori o Porirua; a member of Te Mana Whakahaere (governing council) of Te Wānanga o Raukawa; Director, Mangatu Trust and Mangatu Investments Limited; and Director, EMMT Rentals Limited and a board member of Museums Aotearoa. She is also a member of the Māori Advisory Group to the Victoria University Council and serves as a Public Sector Trustee on the Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) Trust.