Hilton Collier to take Tairāwhiti Whenua Charitable Trust helm as first CEO

Hilton Collier has been appointed the first chief executive officer of the Tairawhiti Whenua Charitable Trust. Photo / Supplied

Trustees of Tairāwhiti Whenua Charitable Trust have announced the appointment of Hilton Collier (Ngāti Porou) as the organisation’s first chief executive officer.

The organisation describes itself as the largest network of Maori landowners in Aotearoa New Zealand, focused on providing opportunities for the economic advancement of landowners.

Members of the collective of more than 70 Māori trusts, incorporations and iwi governance entities from across the East Coast manage more than 197,000 hectares of Māori land.

“Hilton’s whakapapa is deeply rooted in the lands of Ruatōria, where he was raised on his ancestral whenua in the heart of Ngāti Porou,” trust chair Alan Haronga said.

“From these beginnings, he grew a life’s work dedicated to whenua, people and kaupapa Māori.

“He is a proud advocate for Māori-led development, and brings a rare combination of deep regional insight, proven leadership and values-based decision-making to the role.”

The organisation said Collier brought a wide breadth of experience across Māori agribusiness and farming, education, governance, food systems, environmental stewardship and community-led change.

“Hilton is known for his ability to work across both grassroots and national levels, bringing together technical expertise with cultural integrity.

“This blend of skills positions him strongly to lead the next phase of growth for Tairāwhiti Whenua,” Haronga said.

Collier said it was “a privilege to serve a kaupapa that holds deep personal and collective significance”.

“Tairāwhiti Whenua represents the strength of whakapapa and the power of working together. I’m humbled to contribute to the aspirations of our whānau, hapū, and landowners as we work towards a prosperous future for whenua Māori in alignment with our values.”

Haronga said the appointment of Collier signalled the trust’s intention to “grow with integrity, stay connected to our people, and elevate solutions that are grounded in tikanga Māori and the lived realities of our region.”

“As the trust transitions from establishment to implementation, Hilton’s appointment represents a powerful step forward for whenua Māori in Tairāwhiti.”

Haronga said his role will focus on strengthening the trust’s strategic direction, building capability among members and ensuring that whānau and whenua remain central to all decision-making.