Interim Te Pou Ārahi
Vicki Kershaw
Pepeha
Ko Taranaki te Maunga
Ko Mōhakatino te Awa
Ko Tokomaru te waka kei pūaha e tau anā
Ko Ngāti Tama te Iwi
Ko Pukearuhe te Marae
Ko Tama Ariki te Whare Tūpuna
Ko Te Kapinga Hirini McClutchie rāua ko Te Araroa Iraia ōku Tūpuna
Ko Vicki Kershaw tāku ingoa
Personal Background
Kia ora koutou. I was fortunate to grow up at Pukearuhe surrounded by a large extended whānau. Growing up in the rohe of our tūpuna, I learned to gather kai moana, roam and play on the beaches, swim, and fish at Wai-iti and Parininihi, and explore the surrounding bushland.
These experiences shaped my belief that our mokopuna should have access to their tūrangawaewae, know their history and whakapapa, and hear the stories of their tūpuna.
Career and Governance Experience
My career has provided me with operational leadership and governance experience across health, project delivery, programme management, and organisational leadership. I began as a Dental Therapist before moving into project management and programme management and later served as Chief Executive Officer of an aged care service primarily supporting First Nations people in rural and remote Western Australia.
I was also a Ministerial appointment to the Dental Council of New Zealand and represented Ngāti Mutunga Iwi on Te Whare Pūnanga Kōrero for eight years.
Current Role
I have taken a leave of absence from the Board of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Tama to step into the role of Te Pou Ārahi – Interim Manager. This fixed-term agreement allows the Board the time required to develop an organisational structure that meets the needs of Ngāti Tama and supports the growth, sustainability, and the implementation of Tama Manawanui, Tama Manawaroa-te ara ki 2030.
Once the Board approves the organisational structure, kaimahi roles will be advertised and recruitment will begin. When the Te Pou Ārahi role has been filled, I will step away from the Operations Team and return to my position as Deputy Chair of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Tama.
