Governance, Structure and People

Understanding how Te Rūnanga o Waihao is structured, governed and supported.

Group of seven people standing and sitting on a wooden porch in front of a white house with two large windows and open wooden door. The group includes diverse individuals with different ages, appearances, and clothing styles, some smiling, others more serious.

A structure for Waihao whānau

Te Rūnanga o Waihao provides a formal structure for Waihao whānau to come together, make decisions and pursue shared aspirations.

The structure that exists today was established around the time of the Te Rūnanga o Ngai Tahu Act 1996 and the Ngai Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998. It continues to support representation, participation and decision-making for Waihao whānau.

Te Rūnanga o Waihao Incorporated is an Incorporated Society registered under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022.

Group of people attending a meeting or workshop in a room with wooden walls and ceiling, some looking at a large screen displaying a video call, others engaging with materials on the table, which is covered with papers, maps, and sticky notes.

The purpose of the Rūnanga structure

The Rūnanga structure was established to support several important purposes.

These include:

  • Representing manawhenua in the Waihao takiwā

  • Providing an entity for Waihao whānau to join together and pursue common aspirations

  • Giving the Rūnanga legal personality, allowing it to own land, employ people, enter contracts and manage formal arrangements

  • Providing a vehicle to receive settlement funds

  • Supporting greater participation and engagement from whānau

  • Helping whānau develop and guide their own strategic direction

Together, these responsibilities provide a foundation for the work of Te Rūnanga o Waihao today.

Our Upoko & Kaikaranga

A man with glasses and gray hair, wearing a gray shirt with white text and graphics, and a necklace with a large greenish pendant. He has traditional Polynesian tattoos on his face and head.

Tewera King

Upoko

An elderly woman with glasses and a large Maori chin tattoo smiling, wearing a black vest, colorful scarf, and a whale-shaped necklace.

Whaea Wendy Heath

Kaikaranga

  • Leadership and decision-making

    The role of the Board is to manage the Rūnanga in accordance with the directions and decisions of Rūnanga members.

    The Board provides leadership and direction, while working to support members in achieving their aspirations for Waihao.

    The Board has authority to make certain decisions on behalf of the Runanga, including:

    • Hiring staff

    • Managing Rūnanga finances

    • Ensuring the Rūnanga meets its obligations to members and third parties

    • Entering contracts on behalf of the Runanga, within agreed limits

    • Running and managing Runanga meetings and events

    The Board includes the Chair and Deputy Chair, with up to seven members in total.

Black and white portrait of a smiling woman with long wavy hair wearing a black top and a pendant necklace.

Dardanelle McLean-Smith

Elected Board Member - Chairperson

  • I aho mai taku manu I te keo o Aoraki mataū.
    Rere atu ia ki Waitakitaki awa noho ai tō Kāti Huirapa whaitua.
    I reira kohikohi ai āna poa mo ōna marae, ko Waihao, ko Puketeraki, ko Arowhenua, ko Te Pā o Moki ērā.
    Ko Kāi Tahu, ko Kāti Mamoe, Waitaha ōhoku iwi.
    Ko Kāti Huirapa, Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki, Ngāti Irakehu ōhoku hapū.

    Dardanelle was born and raised in Ōtautahi has a passion for whānau success. She has been actively involved from a young age with her hapū, being a participant, volunteer and trustee wherever tautoko is required. Dardanelle is passionate about rakatahi and whānau development. From a long line of servant leaders within the Waihao community, Dardanelle acknowledges that executive leadership of a rūnanga can be challenging, but it is also a position of privilege, which Dardanelle hopes the decisions of the executive board will continue to grow and nurture Waihao whānau.

    In 2016 Dardanelle became a mama to Leila, who is named after her great-grandmother who grew up on the shores of Te Waihora. Leila is Dardanelle’s greatest achievement to date and she enjoys knowing that being actively engaged with Waihao will be another space Leila can learn and grow her Tahutanga and reo.

Portrait of a smiling middle-aged woman with blonde, curly hair, wearing a black blazer and a leopard print blouse with ruffles, gold earrings, against a white background.

Karyn Reid

Elected Board Member - Deputy Chairperson

  • Ko Aoraki te Maunga
    Ko Waitaki te Awa
    Ko Waihao ahau

    Tēnā tātou katoa
    Ko Karyn tōku ingoa

    Ko Te Huruhuru tōku tīpuna
    Nō te Whānau a Te Kihi Peneamene / Benson (Winnie Brunton)
    Ko Kāti Huirapa, Kai Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha
    I heke mai au

    Ko Wendy rāua
    Ko Bevan ōku mātua

    Kia ora tātou katoa

     

    Born and raised in Oamaru, Karyn has run a business there for over 30 years and absolutely loves her career.

    Karyn is a direct descendant of Te Huruhuru and comes from a long line of Waihao leaders. She is proud to serve on the Board to help grow and future-proof our whānau business for many generations to come.

    Returning to Waihao has given Karyn the opportunity to continue her governance journey and encourages whānau to think about what returning home could mean for them.

Abstract minimalist landscape with gray background, white mountain-like shapes, and a white circle representing the sun or moon.

Kurt Scoringe

Elected Board Member

A woman with curly brown hair, wearing glasses and red earrings, smiling, with tattoos on her left arm, wearing a black top, against a plain white background.

Melissa Slatter

Appointed Board Member

  • Waitaki Awa, Waitaki Takata. Melissa is of Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe and Kāi Tahu descent, with her Waihao whakapapa coming downTe Kapa/Koukou and the Loper line, together with Pakinui and the Harpur line. Nanny Peti Scoringe (nee Loper) was born and raised on Māori Road. Uncle Jack Scoringe built our Waihao Wharenui. Her whānau left the takiwā some 6 generations ago, and moved to the North Island. Melissa remembers fondly the kōrero with her Nana Audrey Kershaw about their Māori whakapapa which sparked her curiosity to connect with her Kāi Tahu taha. Melissa studied at Waikato University (B.Soc Sci) and Massey University (M.Phil) and has spent all of her working career is a Resource Management Act Town Planner. Melissa has held a number of leadership and governance roles throughout this time, including a 6 year term on two school boards. She is a member of Te Ahi Tūtata Taumata - the Beca Māori Staff Governance group. This special opportunity to be on the Waihao Executive is an exciting one as our Rūnanga tackles significant challenges with legislative reform, climate change and affirming our tino rangatiratanga in the place of our tīpuna. The opportunities these present to our whānau are pivotal, mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei. Melissa currently lives in Kirikiroa with her partner Gavon, and their son Anake. Along with cultivating her māra kai, Melissa has set herself a wero to weave a kete a fortnight to progress her raranga skills, and is loving her Te Pūtaketanga o Te Reo immersion journey this year with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.

A woman with dark hair tied back, wearing a blue floral dress, standing in front of a wooden wall with the text 'Ngai Tahu' partially visible behind her.

Juliette Stevenson

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Representative

  • Juliette is of Kāi Tahu descent on her mother’s side and holds whakapapa connections to Te Rūnanga o Waihao. As a child, she spent many hours at the marae, surrounded by whānau and watching her older family members serve the rūnaka — experiences that shaped her sense of identity and belonging from an early age. In her mid‑twenties, Juliette began serving her rūnanga herself. Over the years, she has contributed in a range of roles, including serving on the Executive Committee, the Waihao Holding Company, and as the Hauora Lead for Waihao.

    Grounded in her Kāi Tahu whakapapa, Juliette brings a strengths‑based, people‑first approach to her mahi. She blends cultural values with practical, grounded leadership to support better outcomes for whānau across the region. Her commitment to equitable, culturally anchored hauora pathways continues to shape her work and advocacy.

    Juliette is married to Jason, and together they have two sons, Thomas and George. They live in Tihi o Maru, where Juliette remains closely connected to both her community and her cultural identity.

    In November 2016, Juliette was appointed as the Alternate Waihao Representative to Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, stepping into the full Representative role in February 2026.

    Alongside her rūnanga responsibilities, Juliette is strongly involved in community leadership. She serves on the board of Aukaha and on the board of Victoria Trust. She is also the Chairperson of Food Rescue Aoraki and is actively involved in several sporting clubs throughout the region.
    Professionally, Juliette is a Registered Nurse with 20 years’ experience across health and social services, working in both frontline and management roles. Her career spans District Health Boards, Primary Care, and the Māori Health sector — reflecting a lifelong dedication to community wellbeing and mana‑enhancing practice.

  • Representing Waihao within Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu

    Te Runanga o Waihao appoints representatives to Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu.

    This includes a Runanga Representative and an Alternate Runanga Representative. These representatives help ensure Waihao has a voice within the wider Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu structure.

A woman with dark hair tied back, wearing a blue floral short-sleeve shirt, standing in front of a wooden wall with a logo and text that reads 'Ngaia...'

Juliette Stevenson

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Representative

  • Juliette is of Kāi Tahu descent on her mother’s side and holds whakapapa connections to Te Rūnanga o Waihao. As a child, she spent many hours at the marae, surrounded by whānau and watching her older family members serve the rūnaka — experiences that shaped her sense of identity and belonging from an early age. In her mid‑twenties, Juliette began serving her rūnanga herself. Over the years, she has contributed in a range of roles, including serving on the Executive Committee, the Waihao Holding Company, and as the Hauora Lead for Waihao.

    Grounded in her Kāi Tahu whakapapa, Juliette brings a strengths‑based, people‑first approach to her mahi. She blends cultural values with practical, grounded leadership to support better outcomes for whānau across the region. Her commitment to equitable, culturally anchored hauora pathways continues to shape her work and advocacy.

    Juliette is married to Jason, and together they have two sons, Thomas and George. They live in Tihi o Maru, where Juliette remains closely connected to both her community and her cultural identity.

    In November 2016, Juliette was appointed as the Alternate Waihao Representative to Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, stepping into the full Representative role in February 2026.

    Alongside her rūnanga responsibilities, Juliette is strongly involved in community leadership. She serves on the board of Aukaha and on the board of Victoria Trust. She is also the Chairperson of Food Rescue Aoraki and is actively involved in several sporting clubs throughout the region.
    Professionally, Juliette is a Registered Nurse with 20 years’ experience across health and social services, working in both frontline and management roles. Her career spans District Health Boards, Primary Care, and the Māori Health sector — reflecting a lifelong dedication to community wellbeing and mana‑enhancing practice.

A man with short gray hair wearing a black zip-up jacket with a green jade necklace.

Brenden Reid

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Alt Representative

  • Iwi Affiliations: Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Kati Huirapa, Kāti Hateatea, Ngāi Taoka and Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki.

    Brenden is connected to Waihao, through his Taua, Ruth Huruhuru Hill, Ko ōna tīpuna, Te Huruhuru, Te Maima Peneamine, Rawiri Te Maire, Merika Heikura, Korehe Te Kawe, Kiti Pato.

    Brenden brings over 30 years’ experience in Administration, Information & Archive Management, Research & Library Systems, having held roles with; the State Bank of NSW, Macquarie Bank (Sydney), National Australia Bank, State Library of Victoria, and S&P Global Ratings (Melbourne), and Youngs & Co Brewery, Wandsworth, London SW18.

    Brenden offers strong cultural competency alongside proven skills in systems, analysis, and organisational efficiency.

Kaimahi

Close-up of a man with black hair, wearing black glasses, and a blue jacket, standing in front of a landscape with hills and trees.

Ramon Maniapoto

Manahautū | General Manager

  • Ramon is tribally affiliated to Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Mutunga and Kāi Tahu.

    Ramon is an outcome-focused leader and consultant with experience across the commercial, government, and not-for-profit sectors in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. His work spans governance, organisational transformation, innovation, community engagement, and partnership development. He brings a relationship-centred leadership style, cultural empathy, and a strong commitment to collaborative, culturally informed practice.

    Ramon is an elected board member of Te Aitarakihi Marae-a-Iwi in Timaru and serves as a trustee of several whānau whenua trusts. He has been a member of the Ngāti Tūwharetoa post-settlement governance entity, Te Kotahitanga; secretary of his marae and a related housing trust; and President of the Darwin Māori Association while living in Australia’s Northern Territory.

    Ramon has worked in support roles for Members of Parliament and government ministers in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Northern Territory. From 2018 to 2020, he was Governance Officer for the New Zealand Government’s Joint Venture on Family and Domestic Violence, based in the Ministry of Justice, supporting its chief executive’s team and Te Rōpū Māori Advisory Group. While living in the Northern Territory, he also served as interim Chief Executive of Injalak Arts and Culture Aboriginal Corporation, supporting the remote Aboriginal community of Gunbalanya in West Arnhem Land.

    Ramon has a keen sense of community, reflected in his voluntary work with civil society, endurance sporting events, and community-led initiatives. He navigates confidently within Te Ao Māori through his understanding and practice of tikanga (values) and kawa (rituals) at home, in the community, in the workplace, and on the marae.

Portrait of a man with short gray hair, wearing a black zip-up sweater with a green jade necklace, standing against a plain white background.

Brenden Reid

Kaiwhakarite | Administrator

  • Iwi Affiliations: Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Kati Huirapa, Kāti Hateatea, Ngāi Taoka and Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki.

    Brenden is connected to Waihao, through his Taua, Ruth Huruhuru Hill, Ko ōna tīpuna, Te Huruhuru, Te Maima Peneamine, Rawiri Te Maire, Merika Heikura, Korehe Te Kawe, Kiti Pato.

    Brenden brings over 30 years’ experience in Administration, Information & Archive Management, Research & Library Systems, having held roles with; the State Bank of NSW, Macquarie Bank (Sydney), National Australia Bank, State Library of Victoria, and S&P Global Ratings (Melbourne), and Youngs & Co Brewery, Wandsworth, London SW18.

    Brenden offers strong cultural competency alongside proven skills in systems, analysis, and organisational efficiency.

A young woman with long dark hair smiling at the camera, wearing a black jacket and brown top, against a plain white background.

Shyra Allcock

Kairukuruku | Marae Co-Ordinator

  • Iwi Affiliations: Ngati Awa,Ngati Whatua & Te Arawa

    Shyra has lived in Te Waipounamu since 2023 and has strong whānau and community-based values, her ties to kaupapa such as Te Whare Tū Taua O Aotearoa has allowed her to stay connected and maintain strong relationships in both Aotearoa & Ahitereiria.

    Her most recent role was a disbility support worker,which she worked in for 5 years for a client who was the youngest child in Australia to have Spinal Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM).

    She lives in Waimate with her partner nō Ngati Tūwharetoa and daughter.

    Her Hapu is Ngati Umutahi Me Te Uri o Hau.

Te Komiti Mātauraka o Waihao

A woman with brown hair in a braid, wearing glasses, a black top, and a teal blazer, with tattoos on her chin and ear, seated against a white background.

Nicole Solomon

Te Komiti Mātauraka o Waihao Chairperson

A minimalist, abstract landscape with a light gray sky, a white sun or moon, rolling white hills, and a large mountain in the background.

Lana Williams

Te Komiti Mātauraka o Waihao Member

Abstract illustration of landscape with mountains, sun, and clouds in soft pastel colors

Dave Thomas

Te Komiti Mātauraka o Waihao Member

Abstract digital illustration with waves and a sun in various shades of gray and white.

Marlene McDonald

Te Komiti Mātauraka o Waihao Member

Abstract minimalist illustration of mountains with a sun in a light gray sky

Deb Solomon

Te Komiti Mātauraka o Waihao Member

Marae Komiti

Abstract minimalist illustration of mountains with a sun or moon in the sky

Maddison Mclean-Smith

Interim Marae Komiti Chair

Blank gray and white abstract background with smooth, curved shapes and a circular element.

Parris Heath

Marae Komiti Member - Trustee Rep

An abstract digital illustration of a mountain landscape with a sun or moon in the sky, using shades of blue and white.

Taylah-James Bentley-Eddington

Marae Komiti Member

  • Managing assets for future generations

    Te Rūnanga o Waihao Holding Company is a charitable subsidiary company of Te Rūnanga o Waihao Incorporated.

    Waihao Holdings is responsible for managing and investing assets in a way that supports the long-term wellbeing of Waihao whānau.

    Its investment strategy is designed to sustain and preserve the original Putea Tautoko received through the Ngai Tahu settlement, while supporting intergenerational wellbeing and future distribution needs.

    The primary objectives of Waihao Holdings are to:

    • Invest assets prudently

    • Support intergenerational equity and obligations over time

    • Ensure funds are available for distribution when required

    • Help meet the needs and distribution policies of the company

Close-up of a smiling elderly man with gray hair, glasses, wearing a black zip-up jacket over a blue shirt, standing in front of a gray wall.

Martyn Smith

Whanau Director

A young man with short brown hair, blue eyes, wearing a dark suit, pink shirt, and black tie, smiling against a plain white background.

David Abbott

Whanau Director

A close-up portrait of a man with green eyes and brown hair. He is wearing a gray blazer and a dark blue shirt, against a plain white background.

James Gough

Independent Director

Portrait of a smiling middle-aged woman with blonde, curly hair, wearing a black blazer and a leopard print blouse with ruffles, gold earrings, against a white background.

Karyn Reid

Inc Soc Representative Director

  • Supporting the appointment process

    The Appointment Committee is responsible for appointing the Runanga Representative and Alternate Rūnanga Representative to TRoNT.

    Nominees for the Appointment Committee must:

    • Be Registered Voting Members

    • Not be applicants in the relevant appointment round for the position of either TRoNT Rūnanga Representative or Alternate Rūnanga Representative

    This process supports transparency and helps ensure appointments are managed appropriately.