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 leads the Policy Puni, which is responsible for leading public policy advice on issues of specific importance to Māori and provides interdepartmental policy advice on matters most likely to impact directly on wellbeing and development outcomes for whānau, hapū, iwi and Māori. Paula has a strong background in operational and policy management and is highly skilled in developing and implementing initiatives for and with iwi and Māori. Paula joined Te Puni Kōkiri in 2020 and has previously led the Regions puni.

The Policy Puni is made up of two puna – wellbeing and development - with four policy teams in each area covering portfolios aligned to the anchor points and strategy of Te Puni Kōkiri. These portfolios are:

• Te Pae Ōhanga
• Te Pou Oranga
• Te Reo Māori
• Whānau Ora
• Te Pae Arataki Ture
• Te Pae Tiriti
• Matau ki te Ao
• Te Taiao

For 18 years Paula contributed to public policy and operational management at the Ministry of Education, where she worked in leadership roles since 2002. Prior to joining the public service, she worked for two iwi organisations, Waikato Tainui and Raukawa.

Paula holds a Bachelor of Education and a Postgraduate Diploma in Māori and Pacific Development from the University of Waikato. She was raised in Taupō and works between our Wellington and Waikato offices.

 

Hautū | Deputy Secretary – Regions - Grace Smit

Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rakaipaaka

Grace Smit leads the Regions Puni, which delivers Te Puni Kōkiri strategy through our network of 16 regional offices, working closely with iwi, hapū and whānau, as well as using local insight to inform policy advice and initiatives. Grace brings extensive experience across policy, operational and service design. Grace joined Te Puni Kōkiri in 2021 and has previously led both the Strategy and the Corporate puni.

The Regions Puni covers the following functions:

• 16 regional offices (in six regions);
• Investments
• Whānau Ora; and
• Iwi Māori Crown relations (including PSGEs, Accords, NICF and significant national events e.g. Waitangi).

Before joining Te Puni Kōkiri, Grace held the dual role at the Ministry of Justice, of Pae Matua/Director of both the Waitangi Tribunal and Te Kooti Whenua Māori. Through both roles Grace led jurisdiction teams to provide a range of services including for judges, Tribunal members, claimants, landowners, whānau and hapū.

Grace worked closely with Te Puni Kōkiri on joint initiatives, including co-leading the Whenua Māori Programme and legislative amendments to Te Ture Whenua Māori legislation. Grace hasalso held leadership roles in the Department of Corrections and the tertiary education sector.

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 Cowan leads the Strategy Puni, which provides strategic direction for Te Puni Kōkiri, monitors organisational performance and effectiveness, and is informed by a strong data and evidence base. She brings a breadth of experience across policy, corporate services and community engagement. Terina joined Te Puni Kōkiri in 2022 and has previously led the Corporate puni.

The Strategy Puni covers the following functions:

▪ Strategy and Communications;
▪ Organisational Performance;
▪ Public Sector Monitoring;
▪ Data and Automation; and
▪ Information Systems.

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 held the 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 began her public service
career at Te Puni Kōkiri through the Graduate Programme in 2007.

Born and raised in Wellington, Terina holds a Bachelor of Science from Victoria University of
Wellington and a Master of Public Management from the Australia and 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.