Kingi Winiata Smiler

Chairman

Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Te Ati Awa, Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki, Rongowhakaata.

I was encouraged to stand for the Incorporation by whānau. I’ve since been involved in the Governance of Wairarapa Moana Incorporation for over 20 years. I thank our shareholders for their support on this journey.
My experience has been built on 45 years working in the commercial and business sector with a strong track record of success.
By far the best thing about it has been the Wairarapa Moana whānau. The confidence, support and belief of our shareholders many years ago that Wairarapa Moana Incorporation could be the successful business enterprise that it is today.
My greatest aspiration is realising our vision for Wairarapa Moana of “Nurturing sustainably our people, our place and our future for Wairarapa Moana whānau.”

Te Horipo Karaitiana

Deputy Chairman

Ngāi Tuahitara, Kati Kuri, Ruahikihiki, Kai Te Pahi, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha, Rapuwai, Hāwea , Ngāti Kahungunu

I became involved with the Committee of Management when I was asked to support a movement for change by shareholders. I genuinely thought I would be there for a short transition period, 18 years later I am still serving as a director for Wairarapa Moana Incorporation.
I bring a range of skills and experiences to the board, though most notably I have off-shore insights across different countries and continents, together with insights across every level from consumer, through the value chain to source, and understanding how connected the world is.
The best thing about Wairarapa Moana is our strategy. Its’ elegant in its simplicity, and seeing the deployment of that in a dynamic and ever changing environment.
Being part of a Board that is bound together through mutual respect and the fact that the sum of our skills is greater than the individual parts.
My hope for Wairarapa Moana is to honour the legacy of our ancestors and leave the ‘place’ in a better state than when we started for our mokopuna.

Anne Carter

Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa

It has been a privilege to serve as a director of Wairarapa Moana Incorporation for the last ten years.
I was asked by shareholders and whanau to put my name forward for the Committee of Management. I am grateful for those who had confidence in me to take up the role, and who have supported me on this journey.
I bring to Wairarapa Moana Incorporation a wealth of experience from my extensive career in the New Zealand public service in Senior Management roles, together with many other governance roles over the last 20 years.
Our staff are passionate and dedicated to producing the best results, on farm, in the office and for our shareholders and whānau. Our people are by far the best thing about Wairarapa Moana.
My vision for Wairarapa Moana is to be a dynamic and sustainable business for our current and future shareholders and whānau through growth, innovation, profitability combined with environmental sustainability.

Sonya Rimene

Rangitāne, Ngāti Kahungunu

I have been a director of Wairarapa Moana for eight years. I had been on Iwi rūnanga and community boards; I very much wanted to contribute back home.
I believe the future for Wairarapa Moana is to continue and grow as responsible kaitiaki, lead sustainable farming, grow and diversify our asset base, increase our return to owners and ultimately to increase our sense of identity and belonging.
Wairarapa Moana Incorporation continues to realise the dreams set forth by our tīpuna. It is exciting and fulfilling to be part of the Committee of Management and serve as a Director.
I believe in understanding our relationship to the whenua and to whānau as well as continuing to look out and engage in new opportunities.

Brad Tatere

Profile to come.

Anaru Smiler

Group General Manager

Anaru’s links to Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa are through his father, Kingi Winiata Smiler, and his grandmother, Margaret Wikitoria Smiler (nee Black).

With over 20 years experience working in the public and private sectors in both Aotearoa and United Kingdom, Anaru has been actively involved in chairing and managing a number of Māori businesses and other economic development initiatives throughout his career.

Anaru joined as the Group General Manager in 2020, and has a strong focus on providing leadership and collaboration to ensure the WMI legacy continues to grow and prosper.

Brett Bennett

General Manager of Finance

Brett’s career spans over 20 years in Chartered Accounting firms, firstly as a director in a 6 partner Hamilton firm and secondly (along with his wife Kerry), founded Whakatane firm FARMit Accountants specialising in the Agri sector which serviced Agri clients across New Zealand.  During this time Brett has been involved with many large scale agribusiness enterprises and locations and has a deep understanding of the issues faced in the industry.   Brett has extensive knowledge of Wairarapa Moana Incorporation (WMI) being involved in various capacities since 2004, with dairy farm conversions from forestry to pasture and dairy conversions from sheep and beef, along with other major capital investments.  He has been Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, the Incorporation’s external accountant and since moving on from Chartered Accountancy is the Incorporation’s General Manager of Finance to oversee the health and wellbeing of the Incorporations financial systems and drive strategic and operational excellence.  Brett also holds other agribusiness directorships and is a member of the Institute of Directors.

Michael Allan

Strategy Advisor

He was involved with many large-scale dairy conversions. Michael says he is passionate about the business side of farming and when farms achieve exceptional financial performance it is exciting, and all stake holders feel pride in the achievement.

In 2004 Michael first assisted Wairarapa Moana Incorporation (WMI). He was involved as a member of the team planning the conversions to dairy farming. From that point on Michael has been involved professionally with the incorporation being a member of the WMI business advisory group and chair of the audit and risk committee. He was also involved with the de-forestation and conversion to dairy support land of the Ford Road and Consul Road areas. From 2019 to the end of 2020 Michael acted as the Group General manager for WMI. His role involved managing all business aspects of the WMI enterprise.

Michael has a good knowledge of WMI’s business and is the Strategic Advisor to WMI.
He lives in Taupo and is married to Jane. Together they have two children and two grandchildren.

Gareth Hughes

General Manager of Farms

With over three decades of experience in the agriculture sector Gareth joined Wairarapa Moana Incorporation in 2022.
Gareth is an experienced leader with a strong background in the dairy industry. He has previously worked for well recognised farming entities such as AgResearch and Pamu (formerly Landcorp).
Gareth is passionate about large scale dairy portfolios and ensuring that farming systems for optimising animal performance and productivity are successfully implemented which in turn drive greater financial returns for the business.
Gareth believes that by continuing to foster people within the business and provide personal development opportunities and, a career pathway for them, Wairarapa Moana Incorporation will continue to enjoy and celebrate its success into the future.

Charmaine Kawana

Secretary-Manager