Te Tumu Whakarae mō Te Puni Kōkiri | Secretary for Māori Development – Dave Samuels

Waikato, Te Whakatōhea

Dave Tokohau Samuels has been Secretary for Māori Development since September 2019. His leadership of Te Puni Kōkiri is informed by his considerable experience within New Zealand’s state and public service organisations.

Dave’s career began as an infantry officer in the New Zealand Army.  Following his time in the military (which included periods in Singapore, Bougainville, the Middle East and East Timor) he held several management and leadership roles in the Department of Corrections, Te Puni Kōkiri (where he was Director of Policy), the Ministry for Primary Industries, and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. 

In 2015 he moved from the MPI Head Office to become the first Consul and Regional Agriculture Counsellor at the New Zealand Embassy in the United Arab Emirates.  There he was responsible for establishing the MPI footprint in the region and expanding trade with the Middle East and North Africa for New Zealand’s primary products.  In 2017 he took up a role in China, where he led the MPI team in Beijing and managed MPI’s strategic relationships to support New Zealand trade.

Dave’s return to Aotearoa to lead Te Puni Kōkiri reflects his commitment to thriving whānau – and his belief that the government and Māori communities can find innovative ways to work together, to the ultimate benefit of all New Zealanders.  As a senior public servant, he has a role in helping ensure that the public service system as a whole is responsive to the perspectives and needs of Māori.

Dave holds a Master’s of Philosophy in Defence and Strategic Studies (Massey University, 2005) and an Executive Master’s of Public Administration (Victoria University, Australia New Zealand School of Government, 2009).

 

Hautū | Deputy Secretary – Policy - Paula Rawiri

Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Ruanui

Paula Rawiri brings a wealth and breadth of experience to the role of Deputy Secretary Policy.

For 18 years Paula contributed to Māori development at the Ministry of Education, where she has worked in leadership roles since 2002. Most recently she was the Ministry’s Director of Education, Waikato.

With a strong background in operational and policy management, Paula is highly skilled in developing and implementing Māori education initiatives, and she continues to broker opportunities with whānau, hapū, iwi and Māori at Te Puni Kōkiri. In her role she oversees investment in innovation that will build capability among Māori communities so they can achieve their aspirations and move towards intergenerational transformation.

Paula holds a Bachelor of Education and Post Graduate Diploma in Māori and Pacific Development from the University of Waikato. Growing up in Taupō, where she returns as often as possible, she maintains her strong regional focus by being based in the Te Puni Kōkiri Hamilton office.

 

Hautū | Deputy Secretary – Regions - Grace Smit

Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rakaipaaka

Grace Smit is Deputy Secretary Regions.

With public service experience across a broad range of policy, operational and service design responsibilities, Grace brings a wealth of experience and expertise to lead our Regions.

Before joining Te Puni Kōkiri, Grace held the dual role at the Ministry of Justice, of Pae Matua/Director of the Waitangi Tribunal and Māori Land Court. Grace provided oversight and direction over the Waitangi Unit’s administrative and support services to the Waitangi Tribunal. She also guided the Māori Land Court’s national network of offices, to provide a range of services for Māori landowners and their whānau and hapū.

As part of this mahi, Grace worked closely with Te Puni Kōkiri on joint initiatives, including improving services and support for Māori Landowners through the Whenua Māori Programme, and working on amendments to Te Ture Whenua Māori legislation.

Grace has also held management roles in the Department of Corrections and the tertiary education sector. Her role at Te Puni Kōkiri allows Grace to draw from her kete of knowledge, to help deliver a high performing support system that enables the organisation to achieve its vision of Thriving Whānau.

Grace grew up in Auckland, where she gained a Masters of New Zealand History from the University of Auckland.

 

Hautū | Deputy Secretary – Strategy - Terina Cowan

Ngāti Porou, Ngatiangiia (Rarotonga) Amuri (Aitutaki)

Terina’s public service experience extends across policy, corporate services, and community engagement to lead Strategy.

Terina’s previous role was at Manatū mō ngā Iwi ō te Moana-nui-ā-Kiwa, Ministry for Pacific Peoples, where she served as a member of the Executive Leadership Team. Terina served in the substantive role of Chief Advisor to the Chief Executive leading strategy and organisational growth and change. 

Across her public service career to date, Terina has worked at the Environmental Protection Authority, Inland Revenue, and the Department of Corrections. Terina returns to Te Puni Kōkiri after undertaking the Graduate programme in 2007; where she was first introduced to the Public Service.

Born and raised in Wellington, Terina holds a Bachelor of Science from the Victoria University of Wellington. Terina is currently completing her Master of Public Management with the Australian New Zealand School of Government.

 

Hautū | Deputy Secretary - Governance and Corporate | Steven Sutton

The Governance and Corporate Puni promotes high quality decision making, integrity, resource allocation, and risk management. It connects Ministers and the Ministry, monitors statutory entities, and drives consistent Crown practice in Treaty settlement commitments.  The Governance and Corporate Puni covers the following functions:

• Finance, Property and Procurement;
• Legal Services;
• Ministerial and Governance Services;
• People, Capability and Culture;
• Risk and Assurance;
• Statutory Entity Monitoring and Appointments; and
• Treaty of Waitangi settlement commitments, and significant settlement resolution issues.

Steven Sutton joined Te Puni Kōkiri from the private sector, most recently working as a lawyer at one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s premier commercial law firms.  Steven’s career spans public service leadership, NGO governance, private legal practice, in house practice, and diplomatic posting.  Highlights include working as legal and constitutional advisor at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet | Te Tari o Te Pirimia me te Komiti Matua, and posting for five years to China with the Ministry for Primary Industries | Manatū Ahu Matua.

Born and raised in Murihiku | Southland, Steven holds degrees in history and law from the University of Otago | Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, and a masters degree in history from the University of Cambridge.