POU TAHUA
Housing, Infrastructure & Economics Symposium
September 9th-10th, 2025
Te Wharewaka o Poneke, Wellington
About the Symposium
Called by the National Iwi Chairs Forum, this Pou Tahua Symposium is a platform to bring together Iwi committed to driving outcomes for Māori in housing, infrastructure, and reimagining indigenous economics.
Expert panels will be followed by small group "Ask Me Anything" sessions, where attendees can sit and ask patai to the panellists directly.
Sharing key lessons and experiences from practitioners, attendees will acquire the knowledge they need to move closer to execution and collectivisation, using live case studies that focus on practical solutions and execution.
Tickets are $200 for both days, including a three course dinner and breakfast.
11:30am | Small group registrations
12:00pm | Small group Lunch
1:00pm | Openstar Presentation
1:30pm | Site Visit to Openstar
3:30pm | Return to Symposium
Be part of a small group lunch and tour of Aotearoa's most exciting startups, Openstar Technologies.
Join Māui Toa and Openstar Founder Ratu Mataira to hear about this world challenging company as they look to bring the power of fusion energy to the world. Would ideally suit Iwi who are actively considering investment in early stage companies.
Please opt in via your ticket registration.
First In First Served, max 70 people.
DAY 1: 9th September
4:00pm | Registrations Open
5:00pm | Whakatau
5:10pm | Māori Economic Futures
Hon Nanaia Mahuta, Dr Ganesh Nana, Dr Hillmare Schulze (facilitated by Boyd Scirkovich)
What next for the fast-growing taniwha that is Te Ōhanga Māori? Are we measuring the right things, and are we being deliberate not just in how it grows, but what defines it in the future? This panel will explore where Te Ōhanga Māori is headed, and opportunities to reshape Aotearoa's economic landscape for a more prosperous future.
6:00pm | Indigenising Economics
June McCabe, Donna Flavell, Cain Kerehoma, Dr Matt Roskrudge (facilitated by Glenda Taituha-Toka)
What do new models of economics look like? How can we reshape our approach? This panel aims to interrogate applications of Māori principles into our economic activity in a practical sense, looking to community and collectivity for inspiration.
7:00pm | Dinner
Three course meal provided by our Hosts, Te Wharewaka o Poneke
Evening entertainment by Ngāti Toa musician, Aja
DAY 2: 10th September
7:00am | Breakfast
8:30am | Doors open
9:00am | Iwi Housing Models
Tammy Tauroa, Annette Wehi, Jamie Tuuta, James Te Puni (facilitated by Jodi Hayward)
Deep dive into the various approaches Iwi are taking to housing development across the country, identify enablers and barriers, and to share their experiences.
10:00am | Housing Capital Solutions
Sam Stubbs, Roy Thompson, Alex Dallas (facilitated by Aayden Clarke)
Explore innovative capital solutions for housing developments. Experts from Simplicity Living, Bay of Plenty Housing Equity Fund, and Soul Capital discuss their diverse funding models from small-scale papa kainga to housing bonds.
11:00am | International Investment: reflections with Waikato Tainui
Waikato-Tainui and Tainui Group Holdings (facilitated by Rangi Ririnui)
Waikato-Tainui reflect on their approach to international investment. How deals are sourced, negotiatied, key considerations, and what makes the process unique from an Iwi perspective.
12:00pm | Lunch
1:00pm | Totara Investments: Pioneer Energy Deal
Jamie Rihia, Mahina Puketapu, Toni Kerr, Jamie Newth (facilitated by Te Puoho Katene)
Dive into the recently transacted Totara Investment deal where six Māori Trusts and three impact-focussed investment firms acquired 30% of Pioneer Energy Ltd, beating out international bidders to take part-ownership in critical renewable energy infrastructure.
2:00pm | Foreign Direct Investment
Matanuku Mahuika, Roimata Ah Sam (facilitated by Bronson Marshall)
Hear from groups with joint ventures with foreign investors, as they reflect on their experiences, pre- and post deal, including opportunities and gaps that need to be considered and what FDI means in a practical sense.
3:00pm | Closing Summary
Pou Tahua to provide closing comments.
Panel Facilitators
Our panels are facilitated by leaders within our Iwi landscape with deep and relevant expertise. Their insights and lived experience help ensure the kōrero is grounded, forward-focused and relevant to our Iwi audience.
MĀORI ECONOMIC FUTURES PANEL
Boyd Scirkovich
Pou Tahua of Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira
INDIGENISING ECONOMICS PANEL
Glenda Taituha-Toka
GM Heritage & Identity at Waikato-Tainui
HOUSING CAPITAL SOLUTIONS PANEL
Aayden Clarke
Chief Executive of E Tipu - Tātau Tātau Commercial
IWI HOUSING MODELS PANEL
Jodi Hayward
Chief Executive Officer of Te Pae Roa
BROOKFIELDS DEAL PANEL
Kyle Edmonds
Chair, Ngāti Koata Limited
TOTARA INVESTMENTS PIONEER DEAL PANEL
Te Pūoho Kātene
Trustee of Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT PANEL
Bronson Marshall
Māori Investment Director at Invest NZ
Small group lunch: Openstar Technologies
Māui Toa are hosting a Lunch, kōrero and site visit to Māori founded fusion startup, Openstar Technologies. This visit will be most valuable for Iwi who are actively considering early-stage investments or interested in technology-focussed opportunities with global impact. Ratu Mataira will talk through the science of fusion and his company Openstar Technologies then buses will take participants to their site in Ngauranga Gorge.
Ratu Mataira
Founder, Openstar Technologies
Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Manu
The co-inventor of Openstar's key enabling technologies, Ratu Mataira founded OpenStar recognising the astronomical potential of the dipole for the future of fusion. Blending his background, a PhD in Physics and a Major in Economics, he is the driving force behind OpenStar’s growth. He has created a world-class company that understands a viable fusion future not only needs physics excellence but a bankable commercial model baked into its core.
Panel: Māori Economic Futures
What next for the fast-growing taniwha that is Te Ōhanga Māori? Are we measuring the right things, and are we being deliberate not just in how it grows, but what defines it in the future? This panel will explore where Te Ōhanga Māori is headed, and opportunities to reshape Aotearoa's economic landscape for a more prosperous future.
Hon Nanaia Mahuta
Former Minister for Māori Development & Local Government
Hon Nanaia Mahuta is a highly respected Māori leader with a 27-year career in Parliament, holding significant portfolios including Māori Development, Local Government, and Foreign Affairs. She has been instrumental in advancing policies that support Māori economic development, housing, and co-governance arrangements.
Nanaia brings her deep understanding of policy, international trade, system change, and the role of iwi in shaping the future of Aotearoa’s economy.
Dr Ganesh Nana
Economist, Former Chair of the Productivity Commission & Chief Economist at BERL
Ganesh is New Zealand-born of Indian ethnicity, and acknowledges Māori as Tangata Whenua of Aotearoa. His professional career over the past 45 years has ranged from academia, to consulting, to public service.
Before his most recent position as Chair of the Productivity Commission, Ganesh held various positions at Business and Economic Research Limited (BERL). His work focussed on the Māori economy, regional New Zealand and its economic development and workforce training.
Ganesh holds voluntary Board positions on Kaibosh Food Rescue, The New Zealand Drug Foundation Te Puna Whakaiti Pāmamae Kai Whakapiri, Nuku Ora, and ActionStation.
Ganesh joins the panel with hard hitting perspectives on economics past GDP growth, and the future of Te Ōhanga Māori in regards to its effect on people.
Dr Hillmarè Schulze
Chief Economist & Owner, BERL
Hillmarè is the owner and Chief Economist at Business and Economic Research Limited (BERL), with over 30 years of experience working in New Zealand, the Pacific, and Africa. She has been actively involved in the Māori economy for nearly 20 years and has worked with numerous Māori-owned entities.
She has a keen interest in future proofing Aotearoa, of which the Maori economy will play a crucial role.
Panel: Indigenising Economics
What do new models of economics look like? How can we reshape our approach? This panel aims to interrogate applications of Māori principles into our economic activity in a practical sense, looking to community and collectivity for inspiration.
June McCabe
Chair, Rauawa Trust
June McCabe is a highly respected Māori leader in governance and Māori economic development. As Chair of Rauawa Trust, she has championed kaupapa Māori approaches to intergenerational wellbeing, enterprise, and housing. With experience spanning corporate, public, and iwi sectors, June brings a unique perspective on embedding tikanga into economic systems.
June's work on Māori access to capital through Pou Tahua has the potential to transform investment models through Māori values.
Dr Matt Roskrudge
Senior Lecturer in Economics, Massey University
Professor Matt Roskruge (Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Tama) is an economist, Rutherford Discovery Fellow, and Director of Te Au Rangahau. He also serves as Associate Dean Māori at Massey Business School.
With a background in health, regional development and population economics, Professor Roskruge is an applied economist and social scientist specializing in applied econometrics, mixed-methods research, and kaupapa Māori approaches. His work focuses on social capital, population studies, public economics, and the Māori economy.
Donna Flavell
Chief Executive Officer, Waikato-Tainui
Donna Flavell is the CEO of Waikato-Tainui and a leading figure in iwi strategy, economic transformation, and governance. Her leadership has helped guide one of the country’s most prominent iwi through complex challenges in land development, housing, and intergenerational wealth planning. Donna joins this panel to discuss how iwi are designing economic models that align with tikanga Māori, support collective wellbeing, and create long-term, values-driven impact for whānau and hapū.
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Cain Kerehoma
Founder, Tāiki e! Impact House
Cain has a diverse background across legal, social policy, research, social enterprise and indigenous community development sectors. Since returning from Canada to Te Tairāwhiti in 2017, he has pioneered alternative thinking around regenerative economies and social entrepreneurship through an indigenous lens.
Cain is a founding member of Startup Weekend Tairāwhiti, Tāiki e! Impact House and Haututu HackLab. His mahi is based on The Aroha Economy: an indigenous model of social entrepreneurship and economic theory characterised as generous, generative and generational.
Panel: Iwi Housing Models
This panel aims to deep dive into the various approaches Iwi are taking to housing development across the country, identify enablers and barriers, and to share their experiences.
Jamie Tuuta
Chair of Ka Uruora
Jamie is an uri of Taranaki Maunga and has had an unwavering commitment to advancing the aspirations of iwi of Taranaki. He has over two decades of governance and leadership experience. He holds multiple leadership roles, including Chair of Sealord, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Mutunga, Whakaata Māori and Ka Uruora.
He also holds directorships on a number of iwi collective commercial vehicles and is the Chair of Pou Tahua, the economic arm of the National Iwi Chairs Forum, driving strategies for iwi-led economic success.
Annette Wehi
Managing Director of Toitū Tairāwhiti Housing Ltd
Annette Wehi is the Managing Director of Toitū Tairāwhiti Housing Ltd, where she leads a multi-iwi initiative delivering sustainable, whānau-centred housing solutions across the region. With a focus on innovation in construction, kaupapa Māori governance, and strong cross-sector partnerships, Annette has overseen the delivery of hundreds of homes into tairāwhiti communities. Annette will share practical lessons on Iwi collaboration to meet urgent housing needs at pace.
James Te Puni
Chief Executive of Te Āhuru Mōwai
James Te Puni is the Chief Executive of Āhuru Mōwai, Aotearoa’s largest Māori-owned Community Housing Provider. He oversees the management of nearly 1,000 homes and leads new housing developments that serve the needs of whānau in Porirua and beyond.
With deep experience in building scalable, sustainable housing solutions, James brings insights into operating at scale, forming effective partnerships, and ensuring housing provision remains connected to whānau aspirations and community wellbeing.
Tammy Tauroa
Trustee, Ngāti Kurī
Tammy Tauroa is a specialist Māori Housing Advisor for Te Matapihi, the National Māori Housing Network. Her expertise lies in advocating for Māori-led housing solutions, with a particular focus on papakāinga initiatives, including pioneering home-ownership model for papakāinga for Ngāti Korokī Kahukura.
Her aspirations centre on creating thriving kāinga settings for her community, with access to meaningful resources and opportunities that are community-driven, uplifting the potential of whenua Māori through alternative land-use programs.
Panel: Housing Capital Solutions
This panel presents innovative capital solutions for housing developments. Experts from Simplicity Living, Bay of Plenty Housing Equity Fund, and Soul Capital discuss their diverse funding models from small-scale papa kainga to housing bonds. Attendees will gain critical insights to ease funding barriers and secure sustainable capital to support their housing aspirations.
Sam Stubbs
Managing Director, Simplicity Living
Sam Stubbs founded Simplicity, a not-for-profit KiwiSaver provider, in 2016. In 2021 the provider established Simplicity Living, an ambitious Build to Rent initiative with a vision to build 25,000 affordable homes over the next 10–15 years.
Sam's disruptive approach to housing finance includes investing in community housing bonds to supercharge the financing and building of community homes.
Roy Thompson
Co-Founder & Managing Director, New Ground Capital
Roy is co-founder and managing director of New Ground Capital, an impact investment firm known for pioneering institutional build-to-rent housing and impact investment funds in Aotearoa since 2014.
Over the last 30 years, Roy has started and grown businesses spanning prefabricated housing, hospitality, and investment management, and held senior roles in banking and investment locally and offshore.
Dr Jamie Newth
Founder & CEO, Soul Capital
Dr Jamie Newth is Founder and CEO of Soul Capital, an impact investment firm focused on enabling ventures that deliver social, cultural, and environmental returns.
Jamie joins us to share Soul Capital's approach to deploying capital into housing projects in Te Tai Tokerau. His insights into patient, ethical, and community-aligned finance challenge the norms of traditional investment and offer fresh pathways for resourcing housing that prioritises whānau outcomes over profit.
Panel: International Investment with Waikato-Tainui
Waikato-Tainui reflect on their international investment approach - how deals are sourced, key considerations, and what makes the process unique from an Iwi perspective.
Totara Investment: Pioneer Energy Deal
This panel dives into the recently transacted deal where Tōtara Energy LP (six Māori Trusts and three impact-focussed investment firms) acquired 30% of Pioneer Energy Ltd, beating out international bidders to take part-ownership in critical renewable energy infrastructure. The panel has perspectives from multiple angles, including how the deal was originated, negotiated, and how participating groups were able to make decisions at speed to execute.
Jamie Rihia
General Manager of Commercial Strategy & Investments at Tauhara North No. 2 Trust
Jamie Rihia is a seasoned commercial strategist and finance leader, currently serving as General Manager of Commercial Strategy & Investments at Tauhara North No. 2 Trust. He brings a wealth of experience from senior roles across the professional services, banking, and iwi investment sectors, where he has led major transactions and long-term asset strategies. Jamie is known for his ability to balance commercial performance with intergenerational outcomes, ensuring iwi assets deliver both financial returns and enduring community value.
Jamie will share how the Tōtara Energy deal was shaped from inception to completion, providing insight into the structuring, financial strategies, and rapid decision-making that enabled iwi to secure a critical renewable energy asset.
Mahina Puketapu
Chief Investment Officer of Tauhara North No. 2 Trust
Mahina Puketapu is the Chief Investment Officer of Tauhara North No. 2 Trust, leading the Trust’s diversified investment portfolio and growth strategy. With a strong background in global investment, capital markets, and iwi governance, Mahina combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of Māori values and aspirations. She is recognised for her ability to navigate complex negotiations while fostering partnerships that align with both commercial imperatives and cultural integrity.
Mahina wore several roles in this transaction, and will provide insights as to how the deal enabled iwi to move decisively on the Tōtara Energy opportunity.
Alex Dallas
Investment principal, Soul Capital
Alex Dallas is an investment principal at Soul Capital, a leading impact investment firm dedicated to creating positive social, environmental, and financial outcomes. A qualified accountant with extensive experience in acquisitions, capital raising, and strategic portfolio management, Alex is driven by the belief that investment can be a force for transformative change. She has worked closely with Māori and community-focused partners to align investment strategies with shared values and measurable impact.
Alex will bring the impact investor perspective, highlighting how shared vision, trust-based relationships, and disciplined execution allowed diverse partners to move at pace and secure a significant stake in New Zealand’s renewable energy infrastructure.
Toni Kerr
General Manager – Investments at Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua Investment Trust
Guided by her tīpuna into her role as GM Investments, Toni draws on decades of banking and governance experience to champion access to capital for Māori, social procurement, and financial capability. She leads a diversified portfolio — from whenua and commercial property to a medical centre and managed funds — with a focus on growing and protecting investments through kaupapa Māori and wise decision-making.
Panel: Foreign Direct Investment
This panel talks to groups who have joint ventures with foreign investors, and reflects on their experiences, pre- and post deal, including opportunities and gaps that need to be considered and what FDI means in a practical sense. From negotiations, to Overseas Investment Office, to the ongoing working relationship, discourse will be guided by their lived experience and what we are seeing internationally in terms of interest.
Matanuku Mahuika
Chair, Eastland Generation
Matanuku has more than 30 years’ experience as a lawyer advising on a wide range of corporate, commercial, Treaty, Māori land and administrative law issues.
He chairs Eastland Generation, which holds a diverse portfolio of renewable energy plants in the North Island. Last year, Matanuku oversaw the sale of 50% stake in Eastland Generation to Japanese firm Obayashi Corporation.
He also serves on the boards of Callaghan Innovation and the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and has formerly held roles as Chair of the Ngāti Porou Holding Company, Chair of Sealord Group, and Deputy Chair of Aotearoa Fisheries Limited (now Moana New Zealand).
Roimata Ah Sam
Ngai Te Rangi Settlement Trust
Roimata Ah Sam is a respected leader within the Ngāi Te Rangi tribe, known for her dedication to cultural preservation, community development, and financial stewardship. She blends a deep understanding of tikanga Māori with a strong background in accounting and investment, ensuring that traditional values and modern financial practices work in harmony.
Her expertise in accounting provides valuable financial insights and strategic planning skills, ensuring that iwi and community initiatives remain both culturally meaningful and financially sustainable. With her investment knowledge, Roimata has guided resource allocation and development projects that secure long-term benefits for both her people and the wider community.