Te Pūia Tāpapa has $115.5 million available for co-investment in large-scale New Zealand businesses and assets.
“There is not enough capital to do everything everyone wants to do,” Birch said. “The only answer is to grow limited capital so there are better choices in the future.”
Unlocking the potential of her community and highlighting its strengths motivates Birch to continue her work in the financial sector.
She is also the director and board chairwoman at IwiInvestor, a Māori-owned and led investment advice business where funds under management have quadrupled.
“IwiInvestor has been in the top quartile of fund performance across the market benchmarked against our peers,” Birch said.
In 1987, Birch left Aotearoa for Hong Kong. She spent 17 years offshore predominantly running capital market operations in Asia before moving to Australia to run a hedge fund.
Returning to Aotearoa in 2003, Birch decided to use her expertise in the iwi space and has since focused largely on Māori economic development.
“I wanted to use my skills as best as I can for my people, but also to reconnect with my people,” Birch said.
“It’s important to make sure our future leaders are well-versed in finance.
“While I’m humbled, I’m excited because there’s so many younger people who will have something to strive for.”
