New CEO has vision for Ngati Porou

READY FOR THE HARD MAHI: George Reedy is the new chief executive of Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou, taking over from Herewini Te Koha. Picture by Paul Rickard

The new chief executive of Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou George Reedy was welcomed by Ngati Porou uri (descendants) last weekend when a large group of Ngati Kahungunu whanaunga made the trip to Gisborne to escort him and his whanau back to the rohe.

While Ngati Porou are excited with Mr Reedy's arrival, Ngati Kahungunu expressed sadness at his leaving.

“We knew this day was coming,” Taiwhenua o Heretaunga chair Mike Paku said.

He also made a point of saying Ngati Kahungunu was here to take over and that George was their “Trojan horse”.

The day wrapped up with words of farewell from TRONPnui chair Selwyn Parata, who thanked Ngati Kahungungu for bringing Mr Reedy home, wished them a safe return and concluded with a hearty rendition of Ruaumoko.

George Reedy, aka George Haig, was raised in Tikitiki by whangai parents Te Moana (Gam) Rangi and Apikara (Pickles) Dewes.

He is the son of Tamati and Tilly (Te Koingo) Reedy.

“George Haig” (as he is known in Tikitiki) was named after his uncle George Haig, who his dad worked for as a fencer-general on Kaitoto Station.

“My Tiki cousins didn't know whether I was a Reedy, Rangi or a Dewes, so I'm just called George Haig,” Mr Reedy said.

He has fond memories of a village of grandparents, uncles and aunties raising children.

“These are my roots — horse-riding on the banks of the Maraehara River, spending Sundays at St Mary's Church, playing with my cousins.”

Mr Reedy said he was not a good student and dropped out of school at 15.

“Not long afterwards, he became a teenage dad taking the hard road to scholarly achievement.

“With the support of wife Gaylene (nee Brown from Mangatu), he gained a number of tohu (qualifications).

He is a chartered accountant and holds a Masters degree in Business.

For the last seven years, he was tumu whakarae (chief executive) for Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga in Hastings.

He was responsible for the delivery of iwi wellbeing services mainly in health, social services, housing and mental health and addictions.

“My earlier commercial roles equipped me with business discipline, valuable skills and knowledge from the public and private sectors,” he said.

His major success was improved access and engagement of whanau in their wellbeing journey “built on core organisational Maori cultural values and unwavering commitment to na Maori, ma Maori, ki a Maori, kaupapa Maori, and whanau leadership”.

Mr Reedy is excited to be a small part of the legacy that fosters the best of Ngati Poroutanga — “living our best lives, helping to develop further the conditions that serve our aspirations”.

“This may look like tino rangatiratanga over our dominion, good health, justice, warm and safe housing, access to opportunities, learning and cultural strength.”

Mr Reedy said there was a surfeit of opportunities and key challenges ahead for Ngati Porou.

“A great time to put our waka to sea will be after we have re-checked in with our rangatira, kaumatua and whanau about what needs to be done.”

A healthy, wealthy and wise Ngati Porou is the vision of the new kaihautu (leader).